Tips for resisting hibernation?

As the weather cools, anyone care to share tips for resisting hibernation urges (reduced fitness & increased eating)?

I too feel the same way when the cold weather hits.....I get such terrible winter depression, and living in a beach area thats totally diserted this time of year doesnt help. As silly as this sounds, and I know its bad for me, but I hit the tanning salon, the warmth of the lights, and my "summer" glow helps me through the winter blues.

HOT YOGA!!! i love love love it! i am going today as a matter of fact. i signed up for a 7 classes for $7 and ended up paying for a 1 year membership i love it that much.

Between October and March/April, I use a very bright light that treats Seasonal Affective Disorder. The winter in The Netherlands is VERY dark and wet. And I continue to exercise outdoors.

I work 12 hour shifts. 6:30 to 6:30. In the winter months I dont see daylight for days on end. I too use a tanning booth to help out with the blues. I go maybe every couple of weeks or if things get bad once a week. I use a sun block. My goal isnt to tan. It does seem to help some.

I think I experienced the hibernation effect today. I didn't do my swim this morning because I was so cold that I couldn't stand the thought of getting into a cold pool. I opted for the steam room and sauna instead. Doesn't burn very many calories...but felt awesome.

I live in Seattle so we don't get very much sunshine this time of year AT ALL...

Same here just don't feel motivated....uped my fish oil and vit. d intake has helped in the past.

meet a friend at the mall before the stores open and do at least 4 laps. In an average mall, that would be about a mile. Every little bit helps. Some malls have walking programs.

I live in London, UK. Sunshine is history around this time of the year. I haven't been to hot yoga in 2 weeks (I know!) and the urge to eat... let's face it: cold weather = junk food right? Thank God for my contract with PT, that's about the only thing that's keeping me active at the moment.
I dont know what to do either. looking for tips ....

yeah, seasonal effective repsonses suck! great tips everyone

I love the tanning booth idea (in moderation of course considering the carcinogenic effect). I am so sad my summer glow has faded anyway.

I am a Bikram Hot Yoga devotee, so I do get a 90 minute session a day in the hot room (105 degrees, give or take). You're right, it helps so much.

I'm still getting 2 to 3 additional hours of cardio and at least 3 thirty minute core workouts per week at the gym plus daily one hour walks but I feel like I'm slipping in my gym capacity (and caving to bakery goods more often than usual - an even better reason to step up my workouts... Whole Foods Tea Cakes & cookies this week seriously messed up my calorie count).

The mall isn't my cup of tea but it's not a bad idea for foks struggling with serious lethargy and weather responses. I think I'd just end up spending money I don't have. Though speaking of shopping, I bought myself a nice pair of Hunter rain boots that is helping me not shrink from rainy days. Puddle stomping!

oh another idea! go to hawaii!!! that is where i am going for a week next month!!!

i definately hibernate so yes what a great topic ...im open to advice

oh i wish i could afford hawaii before the holidays! i even have family there. sigh. maybe next winter.

I'm a little bummed to be wearing long pants to work! It is tougher to get outside in cooler climes for sure.Im very lucky to be able to take long walks or runs at work, as I have a cool schedule and the beautiful high desert outside of my office door. However, I started this crazy health quest in February and braved some pretty heinous conditions in doing so.(Snow, wind, low 30's on average) I'm so flippin' obsessive that I was better off getting cold than missing a run or walk! I think it is to each his / her own preference. Ive got a nice weight bench at home, but I just don't like exercising indoors hence I NEVER use it. So, I just adjust my clothes, Layer up and go. My biggest problem is heating up and shedding clothing. I HATE to carry stuff, so I end up stashing hoodies etc on my outings, sometimes forgetting to pick them up later. I am going to get back to snow shoeing this winter. The Sierra Nevadas are basically in my backyard and that is one great workout. PS: Nothing beats a good puddle stomp!!!

I'm going to try the fish oil and vit-d combo this year. I'm just hoping I can resist the comfort food cravings...although I'm already planning my cookies for the Christmas cookie exchange this year.

I have a touch of S.A.D. as well, and my recent move to Cleveland hasn't helped [it rains most all the time here]. I'm super fair-skinned, so I can't go tanning [I end up burning like toast]. However, I've found that keeping up on my vitamin C has been a great help. Orange juice or supplements, mainly.

i do have gummy vit-D & C and omega 3-6-9 among others. lol.

now that you mention it, mike. i started my quest in february too. i should keep that in mind. i just love heat and sweat - even carrying stuff... me and my 30 million pound backpack even love wondering the hot, smelly city in august. i just haaaaate grey, chilly weather and reduced daylight so much.

but i love exercize... and cool months are just temporary - i need to keep telling myself that.

I hate snow........ That's why I;m looking for colleges in the South and West!
I guess the best way to get over it is to just do stuff despite wanting not too (sorry, lame advice).

BTW, I was on the high way about a month or so ago and I say a license plate that said somthing along the lines of "GNYRAY" or something like that and it made me think of your user name. Lol.

Make sure exercise is part of your routine and then stick to it! It helps me a lot to have workouts I can do at home (Wii, Dvds), so not wanting to go out in bad weather isn't an excuse not to work out.

For the food side, I find there are a lot of comfort foods that you can have - soups and chili tend to be pretty low cal and can get you through cold nights. Pot roast is another good one. I've also made pretty healthy knock-offs of pot pie, so hearty tasty options are out there. I also make lower cal versions of pumpkin and banana bread to keep in the freezer, so you can get your fix without blowing your daily calories. I drink tea like crazy in the cold weather, too.

On the plus side- cold weather means less temptation to break out the ice cream!

Maybe it's just me, but no matter how cold it gets here in MN, the one time I LOVE IT is when I'm walking out of the gym after breaking a sweat.