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| Keep in Shape Despite Winter Weather |
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| Winter can make exercise feel more burdensome than ever, so exercising might require some extra effort and a dash of creativity. Indoors or out, solo or with friends, the key is finding an activity you enjoy and can do on a regular basis. Check out our favorite cold-weather ideas. |
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Ski, sled or snowshoe. Each of these classic winter pastimes holds a different appeal. Downhill skiing is great for toning the legs and rear, and sharpens your balance and coordination. Cross-country skiing is even better for overall toning and for cardiovascular fitness. Family-friendly sledding can be so fun that you'll forget all about the time, and versatile snowshoeing can be done just about anywhere there's snow.
Run. Nothing beats running for maximum calorie burning. And once your body gets warmed up, the temperature will feel about 20 degrees warmer than it actually is. Unless it's downright freezing (in which case you can hit the treadmill), your biggest concern will be footing. In more severe climates, strap on a pair of cleats, which you can find in athletic and outdoor stores.
Join a gym. In a way, going to a gym is the best of both worlds — it gets you out of the house, yet allows you to exercise comfortably indoors. Many gyms also provide complimentary child care. You might swim laps at the Y, take spinning or yoga classes at a local club, or skip the membership entirely and sign up for a recreational league sport, such as volleyball or soccer.
Hit the mall. Shopping is good exercise, and you'll likely need to do it anyway this time of year. You can tote your bags around for hours, or go early to avoid the crowds and get in a serious walking session. No extra charge.
One note of caution: Make a special effort to stay properly hydrated in the winter, particularly while exercising outdoors. We hear warnings about this regularly during the summer months, but winter presents its own risks. The heavier clothing we wear in winter can make us sweat more than usual and lose a lot of fluid. At a time when we focus so much on others, staying healthy is one gift we can give ourselves.
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