How to Stay Fit All Through Winter
Author, Jason Lewis, is passionate about helping seniors stay healthy and injury-free. He created StrongWell to share his tips on senior fitness.
Winter is in full swing, and spring is still a long time away. But that's no reason to neglect physical fitness. In this post, we'll offer tips for keeping yourself active all the way through the cold season. [Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links]
Give Your Fitness Schedule and Goals a Second Look
How to stay fit through the Winter with yoga, including benefits and tips
Winter presents both new opportunities and new considerations when it comes to exercise. Here are some tips for adapting your fitness routine to accommodate the weather:
Consider adjusting your fitness priorities. For example, experts at Harvard Medical School recommend focusing on flexibility, an aspect of well-being which many people overlook.
Loosening up can boost your overall health and prevent injury. Yoga is a great way to achieve this goal.
Try whole-body exercises such as swimming rather than isolated muscle routines. This can prevent soreness and injuries, which are more common during cold weather.
Spend a little more time warming up prior to beginning your routine. This also helps to prevent injury.
Schedule your workout earlier in the day if possible. Many people go into hibernation mode as soon as the sun sets and temperatures start to drop in the evening.
Consider taking a fitness-oriented vacation in the winter. Spending some time in a warm, sunny climate can bringyour motivation roaring back when all else fails.
Make friends with the treadmill. We can already hear avid runners groaning at the mere mention of the dreaded"T” word. And, yes, running inside on an exercise machine is a lot different than getting your workout in the freshair. On the other hand, the treadmill saves you from wet feet, frigid winds, and hazards like frostbite andhypothermia. Try varying speeds and inclines to make the experience more interesting.
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The Case for Yoga
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There's no such thing as the perfect exercise, but yoga comes pretty darn close, especially if overall fitness is your primary goal. Consider the following:
Yoga can boost your immune system, according to Yoga Journal. This is especially important during the winterseason.
A study at Duke University suggests that yoga can help ward off depression, which for many people is of particular concern during winter.
Yoga can relieve back and neck pain, possibly helping you avoid surgery.
Yoga teaches breathing techniques that may relieve asthma symptoms.Yoga is an ideal indoor exercise that requires very little equipment. All you need is loose, comfortable clothing and a mat.
While many forms of yoga emphasize slow, graceful motion, others involve moving at a faster pace, which creates aerobic benefits.
Getting Started in Yoga
Here are some tips for yoga novices:
Start with basic stretches. These should take 15-20 minutes per session and are foundational to more advancedtechniques.
Expect a little soreness, especially at first. You'll find yourself using muscles you never knew you had, which isone of the greatest benefits of doing yoga.
Begin with a few deep, calming breaths to help focus your mind. Yoga is both a mental and physical discipline.
Consider taking an introductory course. Many fitness clubs and community centers offer instruction. If you decideyou like yoga, then you may want to involve yourself in a local group that practices together.
Most important of all, enjoy yourself! Exercise is both easier and more effective if it's fun.
How to stay fit through the Winter with yoga, including benefits and tips. Original photo from pixabay
Fitness is a year-round pursuit that offers 24-7 benefits. So don't let winter turn you into a couch potato. Get up and get moving, whether your activity of choice is walking, swimming, yoga, or something else entirely. You'll find yourself with renewed energy that will last all year long.