Don’t Stop Exercising Now! 7 Ways to Stay Fit Through Winter
It doesn’t seem to matter how many times I’ve experienced the end of Daylight Savings Time. The return to Standard Time always comes as something of a shock. For a couple of weeks, the mornings are more conducive to exercise, but soon both early morning and late afternoon exercise like walking, biking or running become hazardous to your health!
If you’re dealing with a work schedule, the short days can put a major crimp on your exercise routine. But waiting for the Spring Equinox is not a good idea. There are just too many health benefits to sacrifice exercising to the Winter Solstice. And you lose cardiovascular and muscle conditioning in a matter of weeks. Take some time to plan out a new strategy to stay fit all year long. Here are some suggestions to keep in mind.
1. Switch a morning or evening program to noon.
You’ll enjoy the sun, even on cold days. And you’ll wake yourself up for afternoon activities. Keep the pace moderate, or you may find yourself napping by mid-afternoon. A brisk walk, rather than jogging or biking may be much more manageable.
2. Wear reflective clothing.
If you’re sticking to your routine, make sure you purchase some reflective gear for safety’s sake. The strips on your sneaks aren’t enough and sometimes just confuse drivers. Wear reflective belts, vests, jackets, gloves — the more the better.
3. Buddy up.
Walking at dawn or dusk alone could put you more at risk to personal attack. Now might be a great time to enlist an exercise buddy who shares your same time constraints and enthusiasm for staying fit.
4. Leave the headphones at home.
With poor visibility, you need to be alert to dangers. Singing to yourself is okay.
5. Exercise indoors.
They can be boring, boring, boring, but indoor exercise machines will keep you in shape if you use them. And you can listen to your favorite music, a book on tape or watch the news at the same time. Make phone calls or plan your winter vacation while you work up a sweat.
6. Don’t forget to stretch.
If you neglect stretching during warmer weather, now’s a good time to spend a couple of days a week doing a 30-60 minute session of yoga or some other stretching routine. Warm up first — even if its just walking in place or dancing to some music. Follow a video tape or take a class. Maintaining or gaining range of motion and flexibility are well worth the time and effort. You’ll feel years younger!
7. Find a strength training routine you can love this year.
We lose muscle mass as we age unless we put some effort into staying fit. Find a trainer or join a class. Rent videos till you find some you love. Whether you use dumbbells, stretch bands, machines, or simple calisthenics, twice a week sessions are a must for combating the aging process.
