Don't let lousy weather keep you from being active
Even if you're good about getting daily physical activity during the spring, summer and fall, chances are that when winter comes, you spend more time in bed, do less light physical activities like strolling around or doing housework, and shorten the time you spend exercising.
This may happen because it's dreary and cold outside, it gets too dark for later-in-the-day outdoor exercise, or you're susceptible to seasonal affect disorder (SAD), so you are feeling fatigued and blue. But neglecting your fitness routine makes you vulnerable to depression, weight gain, cardiovascular problems, and loss of muscle tone. So here are four ways to make sure winter doesn't put a chill on your efforts to have a healthier, happier life.
Take a class. At the local Y, gym or exercise studio, discover the joys of yoga, Tai Chi or a spin, stretch or chisel class.
Walk the mall. Climate-controlled and plenty big to get in 10,000 steps each session, you can't go wrong! Then it's easy to grab a cuppa joe when you're done.
Work out at home. Do TV and online exercise classes -- they're for every level and any interest. And get your heart pumping by marching and jumping in place, walking up and down stairs and doing planks, pushups, and lunges.
Enjoy indoor sports. Tennis, pickleball, basketball, squash, racquetball, and swimming are often available at city park facilities and gyms and through local clubs.
For more winter exercise inspiration, check out "4 Tips for a Healthy and Happy Family Winter: Embrace Wellness Together" at iHerb.com/blog.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2024 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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