Not long ago, in the middle of a blizzard, I was taking a walk in my local park. Not far away, I heard blood-curdling screams. What is that? That got me wondering: Icebreaker murder?
No, on the contrary, they were screams of joy. A family of four was sledding down a gentle hill amid recently fallen snow.
And it wasn’t only the kids who were squealing with excitement and joy. Mom and Dad were squealing and laughing just as loudly.
I thought: how cool is this? Why do we need children to go outside to play in cold weather?
Isn’t it too easy to use the cold as an excuse to stay indoors and slowly let yourself melt into a puddle of pudding? But winter actually offers ways to move around, have fun, and get fit and energetic on the cheap – things that warmer weather doesn’t.
For example, in my city, the parks department offers the following outdoor adventures and coolness:
* cross country skiing
* snow shoeing
* sledding
* snowboarding
* ice climbing
* ice skating
* Snowman Building
* Walks for birds (preferably when there are no dangerous leaves for birds to hide in)
* nature tour
* watching the sky
* Camping
* Hockey
get your workout outside
I lead a fitness walking group that meets three times a week in the morning. We workout together in the park all year round, unless the temperature drops below 10 degrees. We’ve learned that there’s no reason you can’t carry out your normal fitness routine outside – you just need to get a little creative and adapt to what’s out there. For example, we do a type of circuit training using paved park paths, stone walls, wooden benches, railings, and stairs. After a short warm-up/cool down, we walk briskly for 10 minutes, then do push ups, then walk, then ab exercises, then walk, then leg exercises – you get the idea. Finally, we end with a cool-down/stretch. Voila – a full body workout in the fresh air, without any equipment, with nature all around us.
be cool be smart
The key to safe and enjoyable cold weather activity lies in dressing properly to stay warm and dry. Three or more thin layers are better than one or two. If you start to sweat, you can peel off the layers and replace them when it’s cool.
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the best ways to dress for cold weather activity include:
* Polyester and polypropylene for inner layers, as these are lightweight and hold insulation when wet.
* Wool and wool/synthetic blends for outer layers.
* The inner layer of the socks is made of polypropylene and the outer layer is made of wool.
* Thin glove liner.
* On windy days, wear a windproof outer jacket and pants.
* On wet days, add a waterproof outer layer with vents.
* Use a scarf on very cold days. This will protect your face, and prevent cold-induced bronchospasm.
* UV glasses will protect your eyes from too much sunlight as well as cold wind.
things to avoid
* Keep clothes piled up and down except for warm-up and cool-down
* Tight clothing that can obstruct blood flow to the extremities.
Remember, the dry air of winter increases water loss through breathing, so be sure to drink plenty of water. And don’t leave your common sense at home: If your hands and feet feel cold or numb or you’re shivering — come inside. The point is to stay fit and have fun, not to be a winter warrior. So, unless you’re a bear, don’t hibernate!
Source by Nancy Bruning
