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Winterize Your Workout
You know how it is - you’ve been active all summer trying to keep in swimsuit shape, but as soon as the temperature drops, so does your motivation. First it’s too cold, then you have a runny nose and before you know it, you’ve hibernated all season. But keeping up with your exercise plan, even during the cold weather, is important.
Exercise is a natural mood enhancer, plus it can increase energy; two things that seem to take a nose dive during the blistering cold weather. Even more, exercise can boost your immune system – helping to ward off colds, the flu, runny noses, and sore throats. Need more convincing? Read on for fun and easy ways to fit in winter workouts.
Do something you enjoy!
Skiing, ice skating, sleigh riding, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding are all great forms of exercise and more importantly, they are fun! These sports are only available during the winter months, so take advantage of them if you have the chance.
Be productive!
When the driveway is full of snow, someone has to shovel; so why not you? Shoveling is a great full body workout. And if shoveling is not an option, bundle up, put on your snow boots, and go for a walk. Walking in the snow is a real calorie-burner.
Exercise Indoors!
If cold weather is just not your thing, take your workout indoors. Take a spin class at your local gym, try an exercise video at home, invest in a pair of hand weights for strength training, and a mat for floor exercises. If you are using videos, buy a variety such as cardio kickboxing, pilates, and yoga to keep yourself from getting bored.
Get a Workout Buddy!
Having a workout partner can help motivate you to stick to your plan. You can hold each other accountable. Remember that kid’s love winter activities too, so use this as an opportunity to spend time with family and friends doing winter-only activities. Build a snowman, go sleigh riding, or just put on holiday tunes and dance!
Tips for Staying Warm
- Heat up. Put your workout clothes in the dryer for a few minutes before you head out the door. Putting on clothes right from the dryer helps to get your body warm.
- Warm up, literally! If you are exercising outdoors, try warming up inside before you head out. It is much easier to face the wind and cold temperatures when your body is already warm. Plus, if you’re not properly warmed up, you may be more susceptible to injury since your muscles can get tighter when they are cold.
- Layer up. It will keep you warm while still allowing you to regulate your temperature. If you get too warm, you can always take a layer off.
Physical activity is important during all times of the year, so before you pack your exercise routine away with that swimsuit, try some of the ideas above. Make exercise a priority, just as you would a meeting at work, or dinner with a friend. Schedule your workouts into your day so you are more likely to do them. And be sure that before you start a new exercise routine, check with your doctor or health care professional to be certain that it is safe.
