How to be Active During Winter and the Holidays
| Author: Judy Kohn, RN, BSN, CDE |
| Last Updated: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 |
Q: "Now that it is getting colder, I am having difficulty doing my regular exercise (tennis, or walking in the evenings after dinner). This happens every year when the time changes, and then when the holidays arrive, I get completely off track. Do you have any suggestions?"
A: I know this time of year can begin to get challenging, as the days get shorter, darkness arrives earlier, the weather is cooler, television beckons you to curl up on the sofa by the fire, and the holidays tempt you with high calorie goodies!
While I hope you will read the detailed exercise guide in the related questions below, here are a few tips that may help.
Any exercise is better than none; incorporate exercise into your daily activities by considering the following:
- Park further away when you are out doing errands.
- Walk briskly when shopping.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator at department stores. If going up the stairs is too hard, start by only walking down the stairs.
- Walk around the block after you take out the trash.
- Switch to a stationary bike.
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Mall walking:
- If the darkness or bad weather is preventing you from exercising outdoors, consider mall walking because of these benefits: security and safety, climate control, and restrooms and water are always nearby.
- Many malls have mall walking clubs and designated mall walking times (including before the stores open) and they may provide you with a map detailing how many miles you are covering, a t-shirt, or other discounts from store merchants.
- There are online mall walking clubs to help you keep track of your activity (see related links below).
- Check with your local mall merchant to see what type of mall walking program they offer.
- Check out structured exercise options in your community workplace, such as: fitness gyms, health clubs, local YMCAs, martial arts centers, low-impact aerobics or other exercise classes at your workplace.
- Consider exercise videos: Whether you are limited by medical issues or the weather outside, another option is exercising in your home under the guidance of a video. There are videos available to meet a variety of needs. Check out the related links below for a few resources.
- Don’t forget strength training: Doing resistance exercises (i.e. lifting weights or using exercise weight machines) can decrease insulin resistance and improve insulin sensitivity, while building strength , improving coordination and balance, controlling weight and blood glucose, and increasing your overall sense of well being.
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During the holiday celebration:
- Walk the dog every other hour and ask a different family member to accompany you each time.
- Organize a family outing involving activity—for example, build a snowman, or go ice-skating.
- Be realistic when setting your exercise goals during the holidays—rather than trying to increase exercise, focus on maintaining regular activity.
Best wishes for an active and healthy season.
Related Questions
Exercise Guide
Q:
"I know exercise is good for me but I just can’t get started. Can you give
me some tips?"
Related Links
Walksport
http://www.walksport.com/home.htm
America on the Move
http://www.americaonthemove.org
American Council on Exercise
http://www.acefitness.org
Collage Video
http://collagevideo.com
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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