{"id":26532,"date":"2021-07-17T18:33:52","date_gmt":"2021-07-17T18:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medical.andonline.com\/?p=26532"},"modified":"2023-05-25T02:58:25","modified_gmt":"2023-05-25T02:58:25","slug":"cold-weather-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medical.andonline.com\/cold-weather-exercise\/?lang=ce","title":{"rendered":"Cold Weather Exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Cold Weather Exercise<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Winter makes most of us want to crawl under the covers and not come out till spring. And if that\u2019s not you, no one wants to hear about it. We hope you\u2019re enjoying your carefree life in Tahiti.<\/p>\n

For the rest of us, exercising in the winter months can not only be a struggle, it can seem impossible. Unfortunately, it\u2019s necessary if you want to stay healthy. You know that regular exercise is good for your heart and overall health, or you should. The American Heart Association recommends\u00a0150 minutes per week<\/a>\u00a0of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. That\u2019s just over 20 minutes a day.<\/p>\n

If you still have a tight grip on those blankets, consider the fact that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention daily exercise can help\u00a0ward off bacterial and viral infections<\/a>. Then consider these simple suggestions to add some exercise into your winter hibernation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

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\u00a0Cold Weather Exercise Tips\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n
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Stay in bed<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The morning can set the tone for your entire day. So, why not start it off with some light exercise before you even get out of bed? Before your mind wanders to the gutter, we\u2019re talking about simple exercises like straight-leg lifts and planks. They\u2019re no replacement for an actual workout, but they can help you wake up and\u00a0get you motivated<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re feeling particularly ambitious, you can move your morning out of bed with some jumping jacks for some quick cardio too.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n

Clean up\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It may sound like a convenient excuse to skip the gym, but everyday housework can count as cardio. Anyone who\u2019s ever vacuumed the stairs, cleaned the baseboards, and reorganized the pantry in a single afternoon can attest to the fact that\u00a0cleaning can be a workout<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a multitasker\u2019s dream:\u00a0getting in some cardio while finally taking care of the winter cleaning (it\u2019s a thing). While it can\u2019t replace an actual exercise routine, it can get your heart pumping on a particularly cold or snowy day.<\/p>\n

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Take the stairs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is a good idea any time of the year, but winter offers an excellent excuse to turn this activity into a\u00a0healthy habit<\/a>. Whether you\u2019re at home, the office, or wherever, stairs offer some convenient cardio.<\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean you need to treat every staircase like a StairMaster.\u00a0Start to consciously think of ways to add a few more steps into your daily routines. Need to grab a few things from up or downstairs? Take one item at a time, even if you could carry it all in one trip. Have a meeting on the 23rd floor and you\u2019re on the 21st? Skip the elevator and take the stairs.<\/p>\n

Bonus points if you can get some of your co-workers to do it with you, which also offers the perfect segue to our next winter exercise trick.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n

Get a group<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With dark mornings, early sunsets, and cooler temperatures maintaining motivation can be a challenge. Sometimes you need a little extra push and that\u2019s where group accountability comes in. You may also know it by its less-polite name:\u00a0guilt.<\/p>\n

Working out with a group does more than just give you someone to complain with when the instructor lies about it being the last set. Countless studies and common sense have shown that social support can help you\u00a0keep with your exercise routine<\/a>. Whether you run together, walk together, or namaste together \u2013 they keep you honest and you get to return the favor.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n

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Get out there<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yes, it\u2019s cold, but too much indoor time can make even the most devout hibernators a little stir-crazy. Getting outside can not only help with your mental health, it can also increase the benefits of exercise. If you like to run or walk during the warmer months, there\u2019s no reason you can\u2019t continue during the winter.<\/p>\n

A walk around the block\u2014which is always a great low-impact exercise\u2014or a quick jog can both give you extra benefits in colder weather and make the heart muscles stronger. Because the heart has to work harder to keep you warm it,\u00a0can give you some high-impact heart health rewards.<\/p>\n

For some, outdoor exercise can\u00a0actually be less of a struggle during the winter<\/a>. Fewer allergens can have you breathing better, and cooler temps can actually help with focus and decrease joint inflammation, too.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n

Have some fun<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Exercising outdoors during the winter doesn\u2019t have to be cold and miserable. Believe it or not, it can actually be fun!\u00a0No matter where you live, there are plenty of wintertime activities to keep you active. Finding something that\u2019s fun and you enjoy doing can make it\u00a0easier to stay active<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Skiing, sledding, and ice skating are just the tip of the iceberg. Building a snowman, starting a snowball fight, building a snow fort, ending a snowball fight, hiking, snow shoeing \u2013 the options are only limited by your own comfort levels and motivation.<\/p>\n

Finding a winter activity to keep you active can be a real exercise game changer. Knowing that come spring these activities won\u2019t be an option can make you want to keep with it.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n

Whatever form of exercise you take on, keep in mind that it can be easy to over exert your self in cold weather. Staying warm to avoid hypothermia may seem like a no-brainer, but overheating can also be a problem for activities that keep you moving like running or walking. Dressing in layers that you can easily remove makes it possible to adjust your body temperature as you start to warm up.<\/p>\n

And, if you\u2019re dealing with heart issues, like high blood pressure, be sure to speak with your doctor about what winter activities make the most sense for you. Pay attention to your body and keep your own limits in mind to avoid larger health issues and ensure that you can stay healthy and active throughout winter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>\n