Staying Active in the Winter Months

It can be very difficult to stay active in the cold months of winter. All of the things you’ve been doing to stay active when you get home take a little more effort when it’s cold. Here are a few ideas to keep you up and going through these chilly months.

1. Grab your kids, crank up the tunes, and dance. Dancing is an excellent way to increase your heart beat and burn calories. Kids do not spend as much time outside during the winter because of limited daylight and weather, so they tend to have a bit more energy to burn off. So, use the radio or create your own music to get your juices flowing.
2. Spend time with your old buddy – the stairs. While not as entertaining as the other options, the stairs are a great way to burn some calories. The best part about the stairs is that they are inside, so you can exercise no matter what the weather is.
3. Getting ice cream in the winter is fun to kids and so is the idea of going to the pool. So, pack up those kiddos and head out to the nearest indoor pool. Swimming is another way to get moving while enjoying the relaxing effect of the water. Most of the time local pool facilities, offer water aerobic classes, so take advantage! Be sure to dry off well before heading out.
4. The mall doesn’t have to be just for shopping, it is a great place to go for a walk when the weather is on the less comfortable side. While crowds may not let you keep the pace you are used to, the large indoor space lets you get steps in. It also gives scenery for new gift ideas.
5. Shoveling the sidewalk isn’t the only way to get exercise… Sled and build snowmen and forts. Once you are finished making your snow sculptures, don’t forget about that snowball fight! Playing in the snow makes hot chocolate taste better.
6. Lastly, don’t forget about the local ice skating rink or skiing. These two traditional sports are very big calorie burners and are fun, too.

Source: Shaping America’s Health