Old man winter is knocking on the door again, and often he brings with him a whole new set of viruses and colds. The cold and dreary weather can also make it hard to find the motivation or time to stay fit and active during the cold months.
But being cold is no excuse to send your health and fitness routine into hibernation. Here are some good ways to keep fit while the winter chills seep in.
Don’t change your diet too drastically
Because the body is also fighting to keep warm during winter, often our diets need to change to accommodate the climate. People tend to eat more hearty meals during the colder months, but it’s important to remember to control your portion sizes, don’t indulge too much and don’t stray too much from your normal diet. Changing what you eat in a short span of time is the fasted road to weight fluctuations. Keep eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Not only do they fill you up more effectively than high-GI foods, but they are also rich sources of antioxidants and immune-boosting minerals.
Just do it!
When it’s raining, cold and dark, it’s easy to snuggle into the couch and stay fixed there all night. But you don’t need to be outside to be exercising.
Join a gym: Investing in a gym membership is a good idea for those who want to keep active but can’t do it at home. The weather can’t be used as an excuse!
Buddy up: Recruit a friend or a family member to keep fit with you. This is great to keep motivation up and often makes activities more enjoyable.
Broaden your horizons: There are great host of activities you can do to keep fit and healthy that are indoors and aren’t in a gym. Swimming, rock-climbing, social sports and even shopping centre walks are excellent indoor activities that will keep you active.
Fluids, fluids, fluids: Keeping hydrated is just as important in winter as it is at any other time of the year. Cold weather makes the body excrete water through urine and even breathing!
Dress appropriately
It may sounds likes an old wives’ tale, but letting the chills seep in through your clothes is a quick way to illness. The body is already fighting to keep its inner organs warm, and when the skin is exposed to the cold, more energy is used to protect the body from disease and the cold. Rug up and keep the ears, hands, feet and stomach warm.
