| Rain or snow? |
| Find new ways to keep moving. |
The American College of Sports Medicine estimates that most people quit their exercise plans within 6 months of starting. One can't help but wonder if this has any relationship whatsoever to the onset of winter.
Most of us have no problem going for a bike ride or a walk when the sun is shining and there's a bit of a breeze to keep us invigorated. It's when we walk out the door to two feet of snow, sub-freezing winds, or a torrent of rain that
seems to soak through any tiny crack that we just give up all hope.
Things needn't be so bleak. A spirit of adventure or even a willingness to try something new makes winter full of a world of possibilities to amp up our mood, health and energy.
Do you lose all motivation the minute it starts to rain or snow? Read this week's Do It Yourself Healthy Lifestyle (below) for more....
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| Snow Bunny Boot Camp |
| Preview this Thursday and Saturday |
Call 503-282-5560 or email bootcamp@recessfitness.com
The next free preview will be in Portland, OR:
Th. 10/4/07 6-7 pm
Sa. 10/6/07 11:30-12:30 pm
Sa. 10/13/07 11:30-12:30 pm
at Signal Sports
1327 NW Kearney 97209
snowbunnybootcamp.eventbrite.com
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| DIY Healthy Lifestyle |
| Try this on for size. |
Most of us are all too familiar with how easy it is to come up with any number of excuses about why we can't: eat right, exercise regularly, sleep enough, etc.
Then along comes winter and hands us an excuse that looks like it really has substance: too cold, too wet, my hair/clothes/shoes will get messed up and I have to go to work, it's dark out, I get S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) and my
depression makes me lethargic, and the ever-popular no time.
The most important tool in moving a hefty pile of winter excuses is to rely on a little creativity, good humor and to enlist a buddy in helping us get out of our rut.
Too cold/Too Wet
Google "winter clothing." Of the 1,260,000 resulting sites, it'd be a safe bet that you could find outdoor apparel that is fashionable, durable, effective against the cold and wet, and within your price range.
Don't forget that one person's setback is another's opportunity and if staying fit falls behind shopping as America's favorite pastime then perhaps winter sports present a great opportunity to integrate something you love (shopping) with
something you are trying to love (movement).
And if your idea of weather appropriate outer gear is still stuck on your Bugaboo jacket from the 80s then you seriously need to come to our Snow Bunny Boot Camp preview because every time I walk into Signal I can't help but think, "Seriously? You can wear this is in the rain? This is more fashionable than anything I own."
The frump factor at work
This, again, takes a bit of creativity. Sometimes scheming and conniving help, too. Of course the weather appropriate gear never hurts to increase your style quotient, but here we are talking about things like soggy hairdos and our
nicest pair of shoes getting muddied.
A great way to beat the shoe and hair problem is to clean out one of your desk drawers and use this as your winter workout bunker: keep a nice pair of shoes in there so that you can walk to work, pack a small care package each week with a
few dry, clean hand towels and workout shirts that you can get a little soggy - take the wet ones home with you at the end of the day, pack a small travel bag with various brushes, combs, makeup or other touch up tools and leave this in
the drawer all winter long.
Skip going outside altogether if you aren't in the mood. Walk the stairs at work instead of taking the elevator. If you're on the first floor just walk a couple flights a few times a day. After a month of doing this you will notice the
difference.
The winter blues
Many people suffer from a form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Just as with depression, it can make a person feel lethargic and sleepy. The good news is that along with light therapy and nutritional modifications, moderate physical activity (walking, cleaning,
dancing, shoveling, gardening) for at least 30 minutes 5 days per week can be a substantial help in lessening the symptoms of depression.
As another benefit, doing things like bundling up, taking a walk with a friend (pets count!), and then coming home to a warm cup of tea can be a joyful antidote to sad feelings that arise during darker winter months.
No time
We all live increasingly busy and hectic lives. Our capacity to cope with stress and relate to the people we love is directly linked to our own physical and emotional health and well-being.
Make a journal of how you spend your time for a week. Do this for only one week. Are there any activities there: watching TV, surfing the net, emailing, eating out, etc. that every once in a while you could trade out for: building a
snowman with your kids or neighbors, taking a walk, cooking a healthy dinner from a new recipe and inviting friends to join you?
Seeing physical activity like taking your friends and family on a xc ski, snowboard, ski, or snowshoeing trip as a reward or as entertainment is a great way to remind yourself that your health is a luxury not to be squandered and that
taking care of it enhances every aspect of your life.
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