Colder, shorter days can bring out the winter blues for the entire family. During this time of year, exercise is even more important to combat those feelings. Endorphins are released during activity, which will improve your mood and give you that “sunny” outlook all winter long.
All that’s required for your winter fitness routine is some planning and knowledge of safety precautions. Before participating in outdoor winter activities, refer to our “Winter Workout Safety Tips.” Then bundle up and head outdoors!
Outdoor Winter Workouts
Surf the Snow: Sledding, tubing and tobogganing will work your core muscles as you fire down the hills, but when you’re going up the hills run after run, you’ll be working your butt and leg muscles and your cardiovascular system. As a warm-up, the family should walk a half a mile to a nearby hill. Thirty minutes will fly by, and you will have met your exercise goal for the day.
Snow Shoveling: This can be a hefty workout, and it’s one of those needs-to-be-done jobs that you and your family can do together. You can get this chore done and experience family bonding at the same time.
Lifting snow is like picking up heavy weights: It works the abs, back, biceps, shoulders and legs. It’s important to ease into it; make sure you and the kids stretch, warm up and cool down. And remember that form is important: Bend your knees, and make sure you keep your back neutral (a slight arch in the low back) while lifting.
Check out more winter workouts in the
current issue of Family Energy!
