Outdoor exercise during cold weather

When the weather cooperates, outside exercise gives you fresh air and a change of scenery.  This past Saturday was a chilly but sunny Saturday and we cleaned out our flower beds and/or garden.  Health experts recognize that gardening with the bending, stooping, chopping and snipping gives a person exercise. 

Your daily trip to the mailbox can be expanded to a trip around the block.  Dress appropriately for the weather and enjoy the autumn color as you walk.

We like to walk our neighborhood.  Many people walk their dogs and enjoy the crisp weather of a cool winter day.   More suggestions on exercising during cold weather tomorrow.

Indoor winter exercise

Exercise during the cold winter months will contribute positive things to your health.  There are simple things you can do at home.  Cleaning your house provides exercise.  Many people add more chores to their house cleaning duties during the winter.  Moving furniture and vacuuming behind the couch increases the exercise you get.  If you make multiple trips up and down the basement stairs to haul out Christmas decorations (coming in a few weeks), you are getting exercise. 

Quit using that treadmill or exercise bike as a clothes rack.  Begin to use it for its intended purpose.  Remember to start with a small amount of exercise and build slowly.  If you make yourself sore or cause pain, you are probably overdoing it.    

Use TV commercial time to walk around your house or up and down the stairs.  Do you know for a one hour TV show, typically you have approximately 14-16 minutes of commercial time that you can use to walk or stretch.   

Some people like exercising to a video or Wii game.  I say use whatever method you find appealing to increase your exercise level during the cold weather. 

More ways to add exercise tomorrow. 

How many excuses do we (I) use for not exercising?

As we enter the holiday season and cold winter months, we recognize that we may move less and gain weight.  What should I (we) do to cope in a healthy way?  Add some exercise to our routine.  Can we do that this winter?  Yes, if we choose.  How can we add exercise to our life? 

Some of us (me) pay for a gym membership.  It’s convenient to stop on my drive home.  Why don’t I when I recognize the benefits.  I’m just like you when it comes to dealing with my weight.  I’ve got many excuses for driving past the gym.  ‘I’m tired.’  ‘I’m hungry.’ ‘David is waiting for me and we have plans.’ And on and on.  

And yet, I gain many benefits from exercising at the gym such as keeping my metabolism up so I don’t gain weight.  I sleep better when I exercise.  My stress level decreases when I exercise.   (Can you tell I am preaching to myself here?) Ok, so I’m going to begin next week (again) to stop at the gym on my way home and I’m going to like it.  (Actually, I will like it once I’m there.)  If you don’t belong to a fitness gym, what can you do to add exercise?  More tomorrow.

Add exercise to your winter days

Yesterday I talked about getting exercise during the winter time.  As winter approaches, I find myself wanting warm food such as chili and soups.  I find I want to hibernate like a bear.  After my work day, I want a warm shower and warm clothes (long robe, socks and house shoes) to wear while I watch TV.  (I think it’s the human version of hibernating).  While I recognize this is what I WANT to do, it’s not the best for my health.  I need to add exercise to my winter days. 

When bears go into hibernation, their metabolism slows down and they utilize their body fat to survive  their long winter’s nap.   When compared to a bear, we do not quit eating for the winter months.  We enjoy wonderful meals through the holiday season.  Most people gain weight during the winter holidays and cold days of winter.  Another factor we should consider is that as humans’ age, our metabolism decreases.  Exercise is one way to keep our metabolism revved up so we don’t gain so much weight during the winter months.  More tomorrow.    

Wintertime is coming

I have finished the book proof and editing work.  Yippeee.
I'm posting one more picture of fall colors.  It's raining and  the leaves are falling so the fall color is disappearing quickly.

Just a reminder that winter is getting closer.  This colder air may discourage us from getting our exercise.  However, exercise contributes to our health.  While winter time gives us challenges, we can decide that our health is a priority and exercise even when the cold wind blows.

Hugging is good medicine

 I loved a recent facebook post by Missouri Writers Guild member and friend, Linda O'Connell.  I'm sharing it with you:

"Hugging is good MEDICINE.  It transfers energy and gives the person hugged an emotional lift.  You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth.  Hugging is a form of communication because it can say things you don't have the words for.  And the nicest thing about a hug is that you usually can't give without getting one.  Have an awesome day.  Sending a big hug your way."    A wonderful post, Linda.  Thank you.

Readers, you can follow Linda's blog, Write from the Heart at 
http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/

Fall foliage

Between working full time, editing the book and making an index, I've been a busy gal. This past Sunday we took a walk and enjoyed the fall foliage. Wow! Are there some great fall colors out there?  It was good for us; fresh air and good exercise. 

I hope you too are taking a break from your responsibilities; consider it a healthy addition to your life.