Health

Cooler weather? Have more fun!

Posted by Elizaangelo on

Staying active during winter can be hard when you have to fight the temptation to stay under covers or snuggle up next to a fireplace with a book and a cup of hot cocoa. Having multiple holidays centered around potlucks and big meals does not help this want to be sedentary. Getting in a cold car to drive to the gym requires extra motivation, which most of us do not possess. Luckily you do not have to hit the gym for exercise. 

Winter brings snow and snow shoveling is a fantastic opportunity to get some cardio that involves upper body. We often hear the heart attacks associated with snow shoveling and makes some of us anxious. Remember to warm up and get that blood flowing into your major muscles before this activity. As always, make sure your doctor is okay with this level of activity – this is crucial if you have certain heart conditions. You can always start slow and build endurance, which means you may not clean up your driveway on day one. You may only shovel for 5 minutes. But by slowing increasing the activity time, before winter ends, you might be ready for that beach bod.

At the same time, some of us enjoy the cooler temperatures and not having to deal with heat and humidity especially if you enjoy exercising outside. Layer up, enjoy the outdoors and get some of that vitamin D. As you get warmer from exercise, remove the layers in a socially conscientious manner 😉 Also, exercising improves our immune system. Take that cold and flu season!

So what can you do outdoors as the temperature drop?

  • Snow shoeing
  • Skiing
  • Ice skating over a frozen lake
  • Snowboarding
  • Snow shoveling
  • Raking leaves
  • Hiking
  • Walking/jogging/running

Now if you live in an area where temperatures are dangerously low, please resist the urge to be superhuman. You can be active indoors by doing some of the following:

  • Mall walking
  • Playing with children/pets
  • Doing household chores like vacuum/sweep/mop (I know – bleh)
  • Indoor skating
  • Use exercise equipment you have at home – some free weights will go a long way
  • Research on exercises you can do at home using body weight
  • On demand fitness services – new year means new promotions
  • Dust off those workout videos from the 80s and 90s (I should look for my leg warmers:))
  • Yoga/Pilates
  • Dance like nobody’s watching
  • Take stairs
  • Be part of a local indoor sports team – think volleyball, racket ball, tennis, badminton, basketball, …
  • Be active during commercial breaks during your favorite show – do wall/regular squats, lunges, run in place, wall/regular push ups, burpees, sit ups…

Caution:

  • Have an extra long warm up session if you are new to exercising
  • Always consult your health care provider before starting any fitness program
  • Beware of slippery conditions from rain, ice, …
  • Layer up to prevent hypothermia
  • Hydrate – do not skimp on water because it is cold 

START SMALL AND IMPROVE ON TIME AND INTENSITY! YOU GOT THIS!!!!