Well, here in New Hampshire the snow is sure piling up. It's halfway up our front door right now, and I hear there's more on the way. It's cold. Darn cold. So cold that I want to layer up in fleece and long johns and sweaters and wool socks and hide out under my big, fuzzy blanket. All. Day. Long. I also feel like eating baked goods - lots of them - which is the last thing that my body needs. (The banana bread in a previous post was easily devoured within 24 hours, and I'd love to blame it on the men in my home, but I did my fair share of damage.) There is certainly a place for hunkering down with warm stuff and baked goods, here and there, but every day? Not a great plan. So I've been coming up with ways to stay active, get fresh air, and keep building strength despite the cabin fever. Things I can do that are close to home, and not an all-day excursion, but sustainable, daily activities that can be done in an hour or two. I find that I need the following: -A good, moisture-wicking base layer. If you don't have one already, it's worth the investment. I have two sets, but they wash and dry really quickly for daily use. -Warm, squishy hiking socks (mine are a merino wool blend) -Snow pants -A warm fleece and a waterproof shell -Warm hat and neck gaiter, and good gloves and liners -Sometimes goggles, though I don't like them because they leave unflattering lines on my face and, I swear, accentuate my under-eye bags for at least 24 hours. Yes, I'm that vain. Sunglasses often do the trick. To motivate myself to get out in the cold on a weekend day or day off, I will actually put my base layer on in the morning instead of clothes as a way of declaring my intention to be active outdoors. I also do a lot of bribing myself with the thought of the hot shower I'm going to take when I get home, and that amazing post-exercise endorphin high. Good workout, warm shower, endorphin release = my personal trifecta. Oh - and a pot of ginger tea. Any of the following activities are fantastic. I usually end up pulling off drenched base layers afterwards, even though I didn't sense myself sweating during the exercise. Moving through the snow adds a challenging and fun twist to any workout. We live near rail trails which are perfect for walking/skiing/snowshoeing, but last winter, in the absence of rail trails close to home, I went to the golf course in town and made my own tracks there. It was beautiful at sunset. When the boys were little, I actually made a x-c ski track around my back yard and would ski "laps" while they built forts and played in the middle of the yard. Conservation trails work well, or any open field or area that is traffic-free. Breaking your own trail is more tiring in the absence of grooming or snowmobiles, but adds to the quality of the workout. Snow Walking - bare boots - I love snowshoeing and winter hiking. On days that don't allow for a longer excursion, even just a 30-minute walk in the snow will get your heart beating fast and get you a great workout. You don't need any gear outside of some waterproof boots. It's hard to walk in snow - kind of like walking in sand - and is pleasantly exhausting. Snow shoes open up the terrain you can cover, of course, and crampons are important for certain conditions when climbing hills/mountains. But neither is required for a winter walk. Go across a field, or your yard, or venture into the woods. Snowshoeing - So easy - just strap them on and walk out the door. I find that I am more tired and sweaty after a snowshoe than a cross country ski. Thirty minutes is enough to get a very effective workout. The route I've been walking takes me down the rail trail then out onto a property, around a pond, over a stream past a dam, then through a field. It takes about one-and-a-half hours. Late afternoon at sunset is beautiful, but so is early morning. Or try a full moon hike at night. We went out for a 2-hour snowshoe under the full moon a few weeks ago and it was incredible. You can rent snow shoes to try them out - I know that many of the EMS locations in New Hampshire will rent them for the day. If you buy, spend a little extra to get shoes with good, easy-to-use bindings. They make a huge difference. Cross Country Skiing - I bought a whole set (skis, boots, bindings, poles) for $100 at the end of the season back in 2003. I still use the same set. I just broke my pole today, actually, when I took a bit of a spill trying to get up a steep hill. But I've used them nonstop without a single problem otherwise. Probably the best hundred bucks I've ever spent. I have skiied everywhere from groomed trail networks to conservation land to my backyard. Once you have a set, you can make them work almost anywhere - you just need a few inches of snow to get a nice glide going. If you don't know how, go to a ski area and rent a set (usually around $15 for the day) and take a friend who can show you how. I have one of my long-time close friends to thank for my own ability to ski. Shoveling - Not nearly as enjoyable, but still counts as a good workout. Switch arms to get equivalent muscle burn - and to save some strain on your dominant arm. Enough said. Hanging Crunches and Pull Ups - Soon after we moved into our new house, I bought one of those pull up bars that can be put up in a doorway. It's become a family tradition to do a few pulls ups at random times throughout the day. I have also been doing hanging crunches and oblique twists in between other activities - throw in a load of laundry, do 20 hanging crunches. This is keeping my upper body and core strength up, even though I am less active than I would be in warmer weather. Yoga/Deep Stretching - All of the movements in the snow really work the hips, quads, and knees. Stretching out after is so important to avoid injury. I have pretty much eradicated my left knee and hip pain by doing long, deep stretches of my hips, legs, and lower back. My favorite way to do this is through a variety of yoga poses. Sometimes I make it to a class, but more often I just flow through poses that I am familiar with. I have always considered stretching secondary to getting the more intense aspect of my workouts, but, particularly as I get older, I am recognizing that it's actually the stretching that is important, and the rest of it is just the icing on the cake.
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AuthorI'm Emily. I currently work in online education management, but I also have a Masters degree in Nutritional Sciences (my true passion). In addition, I am a mom, cook, avid reader, novice gardener, and enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities. On my blog, you will find articles on food, fitness, weight management, and eating issues. ALL recipes on my blog are gluten-free. Many are low-carbohydrate. Most are grain free. Enjoy! Categories
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June 2019
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