Your body and health need to remain active year-round, but if you are used to being active outdoors, this can be challenging in the cold winter months. Take a look at these seven different ways to stay active even in colder weather.
1. Take Advantage of Peak Daytime Hours
Even on the coldest days, there will be a shorter time when the sun is out and at its highest. This is the peak warm time of the day and your best chance to get outside and soak up some sunshine. This typically happens between 2 and 4 pm. While this might not work if it is a stormy, cold day where you live, it should be a good option on most frigid winter days when it isn’t snowing or raining out.
2. Find Outdoor Activities You Enjoy
There are plenty of outdoor activities meant explicitly for cold weather, especially when it is snowing. Find some fun winter activities for you, like skiing or sledding. These activities you can do with your family or friends on the weekend will be just as fun as they are suitable for your body. Anything that gets your body moving more in the winter is good.
3. Participate in Outdoor Chores
Outdoor chores can double as exercise! You save money by not paying someone to shovel snow from your driveway or to do yard work, and you get extra outdoor activity at the same time. Maybe you want to help your neighbors shovel their walk because you know they struggle with having the time to do it independently, or you decide to do some work in your garage.
4. Wear Layers
The key to outdoor workouts in the cold is to wear multiple light layers. You start your training being a lower temperature; then, as you work up a sweat, you can remove some of those light layers and not feel too cold. The layers are soft enough that it isn’t uncomfortable to remove them, but enough of them will keep you warm if the weather suddenly changes while you are out of the house and not near any shelter.
5. Take Indoor Fitness Classes
Of course, bringing exercise indoors is an excellent option in the cold weather. You can usually find yoga or Pilates studios, gyms, and other fitness centers that won’t cost too much and help you get in a good workout.
6. Find an Indoor Pool
Indoor pools are a lot of fun since your skin is protected from any weather conditions, and you get a soothing workout. This can be a great option if you want to try something a little different or have chronic pain and struggle with other forms of exercise.
7. Remember to Hydrate
A common mistake people make is not drinking as much water when the weather is cold. Don’t make this mistake! Hydration is essential no matter how much you’re sweating.
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