Winter Maintenance

I've been thinking a lot about what my workouts/training is going to look like over the winter months. Winter is not my favorite time of the year to begin with, and the shorter days don't help my training. By the time I leave work, it is typically dark and I don't have a lot of run routes that stay on the streets by the street lights. Plus, I hate going back into the cold once I get home.

As much as I am thinking of it as winter maintenance, I am hoping to do more than just maintain; which is a lofty goal considering how winter is typically my most inconsistent time of year. I really want to tone up, lose some weight, and start marathon training in January stronger than I was when training this summer. Faster would be good, too.

Yes, I said start marathon training in January. I am looking at a Memorial Day weekend marathon!

Which means this maintenance/get in marathon shape phase is just shy of three months.

What I'm thinking:

Mondays: off (simply because I know Mondays are a going to be a busy meeting night for me over the next few weeks/months.)
Tuesday: kickboxing/kettle bells (I really want to make this a double workout night)
Wednesday: Run
Thursday: kettle bells
Friday: Cycle Box
Saturday: Run
Sunday: Run or Cross Train

I know how my work schedule is going to be - I know more often than not I will only get 4 or 5 workouts a week in versus 6.

I am hoping to find a "diet" I can stick to ... I hate dieting, and prefer to just eat what I want in moderation. However, that plan, along with my current 2-3 workouts a week, is not cutting it. I lost five pounds this summer, and have lost nothing since. If you have suggestions; I will take them! Some things I've heard of that I'm interested in looking into and adapting are Whole 30 or Paleo .... other things to keep in mind?

Do you switch up your workouts for the winter? Your goals?

Can you believe we are thinking about winter plans already?