Winter Activities

     I truly cannot remember a worse winter!!!  For those of you that enjoy 40 degree, dry weather in January, you will not understand my melancholy disposition.  ILOVE SNOW!!!  I love snow so much so that I have withstood close to 12 years of derogatory statements and hand sign language pertaining to my vanity plates-GO4SNOW.  However, THIS winter has served to make me the laughing stock of the area.

     50 degrees on Christmas?!?  Oh, please!  It is supposed to be white, with sleigh bells jingling, and chestnuts roasting over an open fire.  To add insult to injury, I was asked to set up a picnic table outside for our Christmas dinner.

     Most people have been celebrating the lack of precipitation via snowflakes this year, for during winters past they have complained of nothing to do because of being “snowed in”.  At times like those, with a hearty 5-8  inches of snow, the Wellness Center attendance “drops off” and members begin to “pick up” pounds.  No one seems to understand that winter doesn’t necessarily have to equate to hibernation.  There are plenty of activities to do outside that not only burn off those extra calories and maintain fitness levels, but are actually fun; for the young and the old.

     As long as precautions are taken for proper attire and equipment, participation in outdoor winter activities is no more dangerous than summertime ones.  But winter always gets the bad reputation.  “I will catch a cold breathing that cold air”.  When will we finally understand that a cold is caught from a GERM by close contact with that infected person who we are generally with INSIDE? 

     So let’s rethink the winter season and review some of our options.  At this point of our conversation, I am purely dreaming, as the prediction of precipitation for this week around my community is 10% or less and only in the form of rain.  The main activities or sports that one thinks of in the snow is usually skiing, snowboarding, sledding or tubing, and cross country skiing. 

 

Top left:  www.infobarrel.com ; top right:  www.schneesportgastein.com  ;

Bottom left:  www.skisoutheast.com ; bottom right:   www.slices-of-Life.com

     Unless you are near the Rockies or another mountain range, you will most likely have to look for man-made snow.  There is an option for the Kansas/Missouri area that you might want to check out.  It is the Snow Creek Ski area and is located approximately 35 miles north of Kansas City.  They offer downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing.  Check them out at http://www.skisnowcreek.com/  Snowboarding is my favorite sport and when I am unable to make a road trip to the Colorado Rockies to alleviate some of my snow fever, Snow Creek with its man-made snow can somewhat sooth that illness. This mid-western resort is where I happened to learn how to both ski and board.

      So, for argument’s sake, let’s say we have snow on the ground now.  You are in the house, bored out of your mind and in desperate need of some exercise.  Driveways and sidewalks need to be cleared.  Being careful of ice and by taking frequent rest breaks, not only will you have cleared these areas, but shoveling will work numerous muscle groups and help you to work your cardiovascular system.  I realize that this activity is more work than fun, so let’s get down to the good stuff you can do with snow.  Taking a walk is still an option.  And if the snow is deep, rent some snow shoes and take off. 

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     While you are out there either walk your dog and/or take your camera along.  The dog has energy to burn and snow scenes make great photographs.  Bird watching is also popular even in the winter time.  Still have those snow shoes on and too much energy left?  Organize a game of snow shoe volleyball…its hilarious!

     If gliding or sliding is more your cup of tea than hiking, then slap on a pair of cross country skis.  Many golf courses allow you to use their courses as ski trails during the winter.  Myself, I live by a small lake and once it is frozen over, I’m in my cross countrys, skiing over to the other side and back or across the surrounding fields.  Talking of frozen lakes leads into another activity that is more for ice than snow…ice skating.   

                                                       www.lake-winnipesaukee-travel-guide.com

     Either be sure that the pond or lake you are going out onto is safely frozen or go to a skating rink and pay to use their equipment.  Also, you can go sledding.  Most parks have hills that all the kids flock to with their sleds.  How better to get exercise than to walk back up that hill after sliding down it 20 or 30 times?

     Do you have kids that need to blow off steam?  Join them outside and build a snowman.  Rolling the snow into the big snowballs it takes for the man is exercise!  Also build a snow fort and then have a snowball fight.  Throwing and dodging snowballs is activity.  Or just play tag.  Running in the snow is extra work, creating more energy losses than normal tag games.  Turn that game of tag into a ‘powder’ puff football game.  It is quite challenging trying to catch a football with winter gloves on.  Or just spray out a target in the snow with food color tinged water and then practice your throwing arm’s accuracy.  Or you might just pick out a tree to aim at.

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     Getting cold and tired?  How about a bonfire (I bet we will burn calories through chopping and gathering the wood for the fire) and let’s make some smore’s before we go in for the day.

     So, what do you think?  Still do not believe that there is anything to do to “exercise” outside of the gym when it is cold and snowy out?  I love how the cold air wakes me up and feel alive.  I am still waiting for the first ‘real’ snowfall here, but would really like to know any ideas that you may have on how to spend calories on a beautiful snowy day in the great outdoors!