If You’re Not Exercising… 
November 19th, 2008 -- Posted in Did You Know?, Holiday WeightLoss Tips, Mom Exercise Tips, WeightLoss Tips | No Comments »
You are not alone!
Did you know that 30 percent of people don’t get any exercise at all during the winter?
I don’t know about you, but right now I’m part of that statistic. In addition to those who aren’t exercising, those that do often get less than they would during the warmer months of the year. Winter is often cold and bitter outside which discourages us from getting out and about. I know if I lived in a really cold place, I’d probably just want to curl up under a warm blanket with a good book all winter long. Winter can also be dark and dreary which can easily hamper motivation to do anything, much less get up and work out. The on top of all of that, it’s generally a hectic time of year with it being that holiday season and all. Shopping, holiday gatherings, company parties, and everything else that goes along with the holidays makes it a challenge to find time for exercise. I have to admit that I’m more likely to want to fill my extra time with a fun holiday activity than a workout. All this adds up to the unhealthy habit or not getting enough physical activity during the winter. With that in mind, here are
3 Tips for Getting Exercise During the Winter
Join a gym: Gyms offer expert staffs, a warm and safe place to exercise, a chance to get out of the house, and chance to socialize with new people.
Utilize the Mall: The mall is not only good for shopping. A walk at the mall, may be more interesting than walking at the park. Plus some have some great stairs you can climb for an added challenge. Some malls even have walking clubs you can join.
Exercise Tapes or DVDs: Ah yes, it’s time to break out those exercise videos! They allow you to stay in the comfort of your own home and have more privacy while you exercise.
Other ideas include:
- Running in place
- Getting a rebounder
- Playing with the kids
- Playing sports with family and friends
- Participating in indoor winter sports programs
A word of warning: Quick temperature changes can be a dangerous shock to your body. When going outside, take time to give your body a proper warm up and cool down. Also, when coming in from the cold, wait a few minutes to remove your coat and other layers.
When you venture outside in the winter, it’s important to take extra precautions to stay warm and safe. Always be sure to bundle up and wear layers. You want enough to keep you warm, but not so much that you’re sweating. While sweating during your summer workout is great, during the winter sweat makes you wet and can make you cold in freezing temperatures.
Exercising during the winter may take a bit more planning and effort, but you’ll be rewarded by staying healthy, looking good, and maybe even having some fun.