I’ve never been one to avoid a morning run because of the weather. Drizzle. Flurries. Freezing winter mornings. Sweltering summer sunrises. I have long prided myself on my ability to brave it, if only to squeeze in my beloved morning run.

This week has been different. I’ve totally played the wimp card and avoided these sub-zero (at least, that’s what it feels like!) mornings like dairy before a race.

Instead, for the last few days, you could find me here…

…my living room floor, surrounded by a jungle of plants, too many pillows (so says Noah), strange foreign tchotchkes, and of course, my extra-thick (I have delicate knees) yoga mat.

Welcome to my home, folks. It’s a small apartment in the heart of Manhattan, and while there may not be any equipment to brag about or techno blasting (a la these spinning classes I’ve been hearing soooo much about) to brighten the mood, this simple haven is all I need to at least say that I broke a sweat for anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes. Sometimes, like when the weather outside is actually frightful, it’s simply good enough. And also, the sunrises are pretty unbeatable.

For the most part, I’ve stuck to my body-strengthening routine this week with multiple 8-minute ab workouts and Exhale Core Fusion Pilates Plus videos. But even creatures of habit like myself can use a bit of variety to spice things up every now and then, and so I’ve also incorporated the following YouTube videos into the mix. Here’s what I’m into these days.

Tara Stiles: Crazy Core Building Routine

As you’ll see, I’ve been attempting to turn to yoga, even for just 20 minute segments at a time. This started on Tuesday night when I planned to go to Yoga to the People (the second failed attempt at that), but realized when I got to the office that I had packed only a yoga mat and no change of clothes. Good thinking.

When I got home that night, I started playing around with Tara Stiles’ various yoga sequences, checking out some of the more advanced core work since, let’s be honest people, there’s no way I turn to the vigorous or the ab-busting during the wee hours of the morning.

This particular video wasn’t exactly “crazy” in the Figure 4 sense of the word. But it was, in fact, tough — at least tougher than the beginners sequences I had been turning on during morning workouts. Overall, I definitely liked it, but may need to wait until another evening sweat sesh — no matter how scarce they may be — to try it out again. That, or a morning when I wake up with a ton of energy. But judging by the way things have been going lately, this is nowhere in the near future.

Tara Stiles: Yoga for a Strong Core

Did I mentioned I love core work? While the previous video runs longer than 10 minutes, this shorter rendition is well-suited for the AM hours. Just try not to get jealous of Tara’s awesome hot pink top/black bootie short combination, or her in-your-face slender frame.

Tara Stiles: Total Body Sweat and Tone

The title says it all. You’ll sweat. You’ll tone. And with a little luck, you’ll become sexy and slim by spring, or something. I mean, what’s with the extra winter pudge, body? Amirite?

Jillian Michaels: Cardio Circuit 2

I spoke worlds of Jillian’s Cardio Circuit Pt. 1 last week. This one, I didn’t love as much. The first segment features a ton of kickboxing movements. I was hoping for more of the same in the second of its ilk, but instead found it to be too focused on traditional plyometrics — burpees, squats and the likes. Ick. Bring back the one-two-punch, Jillian!

• Now it’s your turn, and be honest. Are you playing the wimp card this winter, or do you simply think I’m the only wimp in this room?