STAYING ACTVE in COLD WEATHER

Winter will soon be arriving and so will the weight gain. While we are all active during the spring and summer months winter tends to make us hibernateand thus have a tendency to eat more. And what we eat tends to be more of the comfort foods that pack on the pounds. The cold, wind, snow and ice has many of us thinking twice about the outdoors. The holidays don't help much either when there are so many rich foods filled with butter and desserts loaded with sugar at every turn.

Take heart, we can have our cake and eat it too without having to crash diet come summer. There are a number of ways to stay active both indoors and out during the fall and winter months.

Outdoors Activities-

1- Do yard work like you did as a child; rake the leaves.

2- If you have a dog, dress warm and take the dog for a walk. You might even give the dog an extra walk or two. The dog will love it and its great exercise for you. No dog, go for a walk anyone, go with you wife or husband or even by yourself.

3- Don't send the kids to shovel the snow, do it yourself or at least help the kids. Done right shoveling snow is great at burning calories.

4- Snowball fights with your kids and significant other is great exercise.

5- Get out there and help build that snowman.

6- Go sleddingwith the kids and if you don't have kids try a winter activity that you always wanted to but never did, like ice skatingor skiing.

7- Bike riding is still doable in cold weather as long as there is no snow or ice; just dress appropriately for the cold.

For all outdoor activity be sure to dress appropriately. Layered clothing is best because you can remove some if you need to. Be sure to have a warm hat, a scarf and mittens and warm socks as well as waterproof boots. If you're going to be out in the snow waterproof outwear is optimal to keep you dry.

Indoor Activities-

1- If you really don't think that walking outdoors is for you go window wishing at the mall. Most malls are large enough that twice around is at least two miles. If your mall isn't that large go around a few more times, but leave the cash and credit cards home.

2- Turn the music up and dance.

3- Get some inexpensive stretch bands and/or hand weights and exercise while you listen to music or while you watch television.

4- Rent or buy an exercise DVD or VHS.

5- Believe it or not housework is terrific exercise. Sweeping, mopping, and laundry will keep you active and fit.

6- Join a gym or the Y where you will have access to treadmills and exercise bikes.

7- Swim, most gyms and the YMCA have pools. Swimming exercises the whole body at the same time. You may be thinking that the water is too cold but most pools are heated during winter months.

Most importantly never start an exercise regiment without first consulting your doctor.