Even the most ambitious among us struggle to keep our New Year’s resolutions. According to People magazine, the average American will stick to his or her guns for only 36 days. That means, now – well into March – most people have given up on their fitness and health-related resolutions. Of course, there are some factors working against us. Many of us are still doing our best to stay home and stay out of the cold. When we are not at home, ordering takeout can be especially tempting. In fact, bakery sales are climbing by as much as 5% from year to year.
Enjoy treats from your local bakery in moderation, beat winter blues, and find your motivation again with these fun winter workouts.
The Best Winter Workouts
Working out this winter doesn’t have to be drab. Try these exciting winter workouts to get your sweat on and make the most of the winter season.
- Ice skating. Ice skating is more challenging than you might think. Staying upright constantly engages your core, obliques, and glutes. While gliding along the ice may not feel like rigorous exercise, don’t be fooled. Just one hour of ice skating can burn 800 to 1,200 calories, Women’s Day reveals.
- Yoga in the snow (snow-ga). Maximize your calorie-burning potential by striking yoga poses in the snow. Like Bikram Yoga, outdoor yoga in the extreme cold burns extra calories.
- Sledding. Healthy living isn’t always a bore. Get that endorphin rush that accompanies speeding downhill, and burn as many as 400 to 600 every hour you’re sledding. Continually walking up and downhill works out your legs and absolutely counts as cardio!
Why Is It Important To Work Out, Especially In Winter?
Unfortunately, freezing temperatures do not only make us physically uncomfortable. Winter months are characterized by short days and relatively few hours of sunlight. This lack of sunlight makes people tired, unmotivated, and depressed, a seasonal condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Exercise is a great way to combat this depression. Exercise triggers feel-good neurotransmitters in your brain, like serotonin and endorphins, and helps you sleep, which ultimately improves mood.
Even better, working out in winter can actually be more effective. According to Harvard Medical School, exercising in the cold requires less energy, it is easier on your heart, and you are markedly less likely to sweat.
Reap The Immune System-Boosting Benefits Of Regular Exercise
Every year, people nationwide come down with as many as 1 billion colds. Exercise can help dramatically lower these numbers.
One hour of moderate or intense exercise increases blood circulation, lowers inflammation, and significantly drives down your risk of getting ill. Drive your risk lower still by regularly washing your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds at a time. Be especially proactive about handwashing after visiting the bathroom, immediately after sneezing and coughing, and before food preparation.
Healthy living doesn’t have to come to an abrupt halt during winter. Boost your mental health and immune system with the winter workouts above.
