Staying active all year round can be simple if you live in a warm state, but what about when it is cold or snowy? Good news!!! Winter is the best time to get in shape without doing actual exercise! Shoveling, brushing off your vehicle, walks, snowshoeing, biking, and many other activities can be even more fun in the winter. Have you ever tried riding a bike in six inches of snow? How about snowshoeing while walking the dog? As long as you are up for taking a few spills, doing many of your summer things can be just as fun in the winter.
Shoveling snow gets your heart pumping fast in a hurry, so make sure a doctor clears any activity, otherwise start slow to get the blood flowing just like in a warm up session. As you get warmed up, get moving faster and faster on your shoveling. Keep the snow blower in the garage and do a small part of the driveway each day or make it your full one hour of exercise for the day.
Riding bike is a ton of fun even in deep snow. Why? Because the kids will keep falling down and never get hurt. When the parents go through the snow then try to stop, sliding into the snow bank could not be any more fun! Sure there is the chance of getting hurt, but people can also sprain an ankle while jogging. Snow softens the fall, snow clothes keep the cold and wet out, and the whole family can have a bunch of fun while getting their heart pumping and lungs breathing deep!
Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or other winter sports are also a great way to get outside and have fun. Even the coldest days can feel warm when bare skin is covered up and activity warms the body. Family pets, especially the bigger dogs with some fur on them, love running around in the powdery snow and tripping up the family…as a result they get to lick your wet face until you try to get back up, which is quite difficult with skis or snowshoes on. So zip up the jacket and snow pants, cover any skin, tie up the boots, and go slide on the snow covered ice!
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