Staying Active Without Snow

I love winter.   I love skiing, track tag (ask a 1990’s kid) and snowshoeing.   But all the winter activities that I enjoy, need snow.   Lots of snow.   I am also dedicated to keeping active for a minimum of 30 minutes a day.   So how do I stay active in a winter like this?

1. Walk:  the one good thing about a warmer winter is that you can still get out and go for a walk without “your face hurting”.   What you do have to be very careful about is ice.   With frequent rains, and thaw, the ice on the sidewalks can be treacherous.    Using Nordic Poles or ice grips can be helpful to keep moving and to keep you safe.   
   
2. Indoor walking:   Many local community centers have added walking tracks to their facilities.  For a small fee, you can walk for as long as you like in warmth.   It is also very common that local malls will have walking programs early in day when it is not too busy. Find a friend and catch up while you stroll warmly and safely.
3. Skating:   The outdoor rinks may not be blade worthy, but check out community centres in the area for public skates.    If you are available during the day, there are often quieter times that are dedicated to toddlers and seniors.   Not a natural at skating?  There are clubs that will teach even seasoned adults some new skills.
   
4. Exercise videos:  If you are determined to hibernate until we are consistently above +10, do a youtube search for exercise videos that you can do in the comfort of your home.  There is something for everyone out there.    Remember that a good intensity of exercise makes you feel  are working, but you are still able to hold a conversation.
   

While you are on youtube, check our Dr. Mike Evans’ clip 23 ½ hours .   It is a short but great video explaining why we should all strive to be active 30 minutes a day, regardless age, sex and even snowfall.