Sometimes we may be tempted to think that bears are doing it the right way by hibernating during the cold weather. Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for humans, and we not only still have to go about our normal day to day activities in the winter, but we also have to stay active as far as exercise is concerned. Being sedentary, even just seasonally, can lead to stiff and sore muscles as well as back pain.
But what if your favorite ways to get exercise are going for walks at the park or swimming in an outdoor pool? Here are a few ways you can stay active in the winter while you wait for the good weather to return.
1. Become a Mall Walker
Malls across America open their doors early to allow people to use the mall as an indoor place to walk for exercise. You can call your local mall or check their website to see if they participate. You can also search for malls that allow walking near you with a site like bestmallwalking.com.
2. Go to the Gym
Maybe you already have a gym membership (thanks to a New Year’s resolution). The need to stay active during the winter can provide some additional encouragement to use it. If you don’t have a gym membership and are not sure you can afford it, you may want to try a chain that offers discounted rates. For example, there are 3 Planet Fitness locations within half an hour of Fairfax.
3. Take the Stairs
If you work several floors up in an office building, try taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Between arriving in the morning, leaving in the evening, and going back and forth for lunch, you can get in some extra exercise throughout the day.
4. Home Fitness
There are plenty of home fitness programs available. You can purchase your favorite programs to download or use a service that has an array of workout videos available to stream for a set monthly fee such as Beachbody or Daily Burn.
5. Find an Indoor Pool
If you can find a local indoor pool, you can enjoy swimming as your primary form of exercise all year long. Check local colleges to see if there are hours during the week when the pool is available to the public.
When Winter Has You Sore, Come and See Us
Whether it is less activity, shoveling snow, or a slip and fall that has you sore, Dr. Ward is always willing to see patients for a same-day appointment. He even keeps weekend office hours on Saturday morning for those who can’t break away from the 9-5 for a visit. Come and see us any time this winter season has you sore, stiff, or in pain.
