Be prepared.  If there was anything I learned while living on a bicycle and walking for 6.5 months it is to always think ahead, when I wasn't fighting the elements or begging for a place to sleep, thinking ahead is what I was doing.

This morning I walked, very prepared, trading my MBT sandals for my MBT boots.  Brilliant move and my feet were the only warm thing on my body when I came back.  My cheeks might stay red for the next two weeks, glowing from cold temperatures outside.

Time to dig out my layers of coats, Little Changes bright orange gear and green raincoats to put on for future walks.  In layers I can peel off what feels too warm without freezing.  When you are walking in this weather it is tempting when you are nice and warm to take off too much.  We don't want to catch a chill do we?

Since I don't drink coffee or hot tea, have never had either of them, it's also that time of year to break out the hot chocolate.  Do your research and you will find several sugar free options that are not only very low in calories but that warm liquid really does fill you up.  There is one that I tried that has something like mini marshmallows in it, but they really taste more like the old pink erasers that topped the pencils of my childhood.  I recommend skipping these.

Just last week I was saying that we were in a perpetual spring and now I'm pleased to report that winter, or at least the start of winter, has found Pennsylvania.  Brrrrr.  I am doing my Rudolph the red-nosed walker impersonation at the moment.

My gloves have to be replaced.  The current ones I have (one has a hole in the hand) are acting as camera bags for my two digital Samsung cameras that are always in my backpack purse.  They work perfect for that and I'll always smile when I think about the morning Morton spent a dollar on them at a store in Georgia as I stood guard outside on our bicycles.  I used them hard on the road and for a dollar it is nothing short of a miracle that there is anything left to them.

No matter where you are in the world, think ahead when your seasons are changing if you do any outside activities.  Nothing can put you off walking more than a bad day of coming in with frozen toes, hands and the last thing you want to do is have a bad walk or workout.  Be prepared, plan for the weather and remember that layers really do work.

Off to the dollar store now to buy a new pair of gloves, then to the airport in Newark, NJ to pick up a relative flying over from Scotland for a wonderful three weeks! 

Have a fantastic day, get out there and move and remember to stay on top of your exercise and not to use weather as an excuse, but rather a whole different and exotic environment to walk in!

Enjoy - Priscilla