Living in Pittsburgh means that the sky is gray a lot of the time, especially in winter.  In fact, Pittsburgh gets fewer hours of sunshine per year, than the notoriously gray sky city of Seattle.

When the sky is gray, it is not only difficult to get motivated, but it is also a challenge for your body to get enough Vitamin D.  By far the best way to get Vitamin D is by exposing your skin to the UV light in sunshine.  This gets to be tough in winter because we cover our skin with clothes to stay warm.  There is also much less UV light when the sun is low in the sky in winter. It is even worse, when the sky is overcast.

Historically, I have had low Vitamin D levels, when tested during my annual physical.  I have been unable to correct that through diet, so now I take a supplement.  I use the supplement in the photo from Nordic Naturals.  This supplement combines Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil, with Vitamin D.

Maintaining good Vitamin D levels is important for your health in many ways.  Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones, because it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus. This also helps muscle function.  Other studies have shown that good Vitamin D levels are needed to maintain a healthy immune system.

I cannot control the weather to get more sunshine, but I can control my Vitamin D level through diet and supplementation.  I highly recommend you get your Vitamin D level checked, especially if you live where the sky is gray.