If you are reading this blog you probably know what winter is like in Michigan:
Winter is the season when some of our best intentions to stay fit are swept aside by our complacency. You know the symptoms/excuses: “It’s too cold to run.” “It’s too dark for a walk.” “My gym is too crowded, hot, cold, far away, etc, etc.” Or, if you are honest with yourself, “I am too cozy at home, why venture out?”
Then suddenly it’s spring again and you find you’ve lost most, if not all of the fitness you worked so hard to achieve. Now you are back to zero and worse you have also put on a few pounds.
Here are some suggestions that will help you deal with the inconvenience of winter:
- If you are a runner and would like to continue to run outside, get the right gear to sustain outdoor runs on cold days. Today’s cold weather gear is terrific. If you need help just ask the trainers at Imagine, especially Nelson, he will have an answer for you.
- Join a good fitness facility, Imagine comes to mind, and use it regularly. Make it a priority.
- Use the treadmills and stepper machines when the footing is poor outside.
- Lengthen your workouts in winter to compensate for the lower overall winter activity level so you don’t gain weight. For example, gardening/walking in the summer is a great way to keep gain weight in check.
- Take a weekly cycling class to supplement your aerobic routine. This is a challenging way to maintain aerobic fitness and burn calories in the company of other, similarly-minded people. Plus it’s fun! Join Jackie and her troupe and you will see what I am talking about. You’ll have fun and she will work you hard.
- Experiment with different workouts to challenge different muscles. Take classes from a variety of trainers, you will find that each one has their own spin and favorites. Of course Jeff Barnett has the best stories and Margo is Margo, she has it all.
- Take some fitness classes, like circuit training or yoga. Here again you will find that each teacher is different but very good. For advanced yoga try Wendy or Sandra.
- Set a goal to do a 5K in early spring something you’ve always wanted to do, but were never prepared for after a long winter. Just talk to Nelson he will get you ready.
Winter in Michigan can be a challenge, but this year, let it be just another bump in the road that you navigate on your path to life-long good health and fitness.
