Healthy Tips to Stay Active During the Winter Season

If you live in an area of the world where it's getting colder, no doubt you have some challenges to face as Old Man Winter comes rolling in to your neck of the woods this year. Personally, I enjoy the wintertime just as much as the warmer seasons here in the Northeast U.S. However, as we get older we tend to feel the pain and strain of the colder months a lot more than we used to. This is why it is so important to stay as active as possible during this time of year. The more you move the better off you will be in so many ways. The joints of the human body, as well as the muscles and tendons also tighten up when being exposed to lower temps on a regular basis.

One simple way to keep your joints moving is with an exercise bike. Especially, the kind that keeps your arms going as well. There is no need to spend a ridiculous amount of money for one either. Any simple smooth operating bike will do. If you don't like bikes, there are many different kinds of inexpensive machines you can use instead. Just remember not to go overboard if you are not used to exercising. Take things slow at first and just get one simple machine, a bike, treadmill, etc. You don't have to start building a complete gym in your house. Once you've picked a machine, you now have to designate a place to use it. If you don't have a place to use it without disturbing others in your house or apartment, you may want to look into the type of equipment that can simply slide under a bed or couch. That way, you could keep it in your room. Or, you could schedule your routine at a time nobody will be home except you. If you live by yourself, you really shouldn't have many problems at all.

The next thing on your agenda is to schedule a time for your exercise. If you want to do it right, you need to take it easy at first. Many people make the mistake of diving in head first into a heavy exercise regimen, and end up burning themselves out and then just give it up altogether, If you can give yourself just 15 minutes a few times a week it's still better than nothing. You can always move up to 30 minutes 2 or 3 times a week once you get going. It's important to make it as fun for yourself as possible. Some people prefer to follow along to a dvd or video workout program which is great, and you usually only need little if any equipment. Myself, I like to personalize my self-improvement with the music I like and routines I know I can handle. There should be no competition with anyone except yourself. The first major hurdle is just to get into the habit of a routine time and place for exercise that feels right for you.

The local library can truly be a wealth of health and wellness material. In the audio/visual department alone there is plenty of material to last you a lifetime. From Tai Chi to Tae Bo you will probably be able to find it in there. The great thing about the library is that you can always sample things you are interested in before you blow a bunch of money on expensive programs you aren't ready for anyway. The library is also a great place to get some decent exercise as well. Avoid the elevators and take the stairs as much as you can. It's usually pretty comfortable in public libraries during the winter, so get those materials and get out of there before you get too cozy and sleepy. Give yourself plenty of time to get a feel for what programs or exercise routines fit you personally. Leave enough room to challenge yourself in the future. Remember, you can only take care of yourself for yourself. You can't get fit for someone else's approval, the only thing that will do for you is give you another excuse to hang it up.

Another great way to get some use of those joints is to go shopping. That's right, you can always beat the winter cold by going to the mall. Get your holiday season shopping done early, but go to the mall when it's late, it's less crowded and you can walk as fast or slow as you want. Take the stairs as much as you can but don't wear yourself out. Listen to your body. Drink plenty of water when you're shopping. Stay away from super carbonated, super caffienated drinks. They will cause you to crash instead of giving you any real energy. A vast majority of people don't drink enough water anymore. Your body needs water for everything.

Now researchers are saying that we need twice as much water as they originally thought with the old, "eight glasses a day minimum". Try to get water with some electrolytes and trace minerals. Magnesium will also give you energy and break down excess calcium in the blood stream, keeping those joints free of nasty deposits. A great number of people are magnesium deficient now days. The body has to have magnesium to utilize calcium. Otherwise, the calcium you consume is just wasted and deposited in the blood stream, or in the joints and walls of your arteries.

When all is said and done, there are many more ways than people think to stay fit during the winter. Of course, everyone knows the big punisher during the holidays is the food. That urge to stuff yourself silly as if you were a Thanksgiving turkey is an ever present danger. The key to satisfying yourself is as always: moderation. You don't have to be a member of the "finish your plate club". In fact, nobody should force you to overdo it, especially your closest relatives. It may take a little acting on your part, but you can do it. Remember, there will be plenty of leftovers so you will have plenty of time to eat.

One simple little trick is to go ahead and "spoil your dinner" a little bit. Everyone starves themselves all day until the big holiday meal, where they load up and then go pass out somewhere. It's pretty messed up to say the least. Sneak in a healthy snack (while nobody's looking) about 30 minutes or so before dinner. That way, it will be impossible for you to stuff yourself so much. Politely say, "I've had plenty thank you", have one piece of dessert and then your done. If you can get some kind of workout in before the big meal, like a little touch football in Auntie May's driveway, that's another way you can make sure you get some of that protein to work in your favor. Common sense and creativity are going to be your keys to success. What ever you do, don't beat yourself up if you start to fall short of your expectations. At the same time, be willing to try a different approach when facing your usual holiday pitfalls. Give yourself the best gift you can this year, the gift of health. Your body will thank you for it later.