Weighty issues

Sachin Kalra

It’s easy to come up with excuses to avoid exercising during the winter months. Many of us tend to think that winter is a great time to relax and skip exercises. The chilling cold, biting wind, short days and the temptation of warm snugly indoors all act as exercise deterrents. Ironically, winter is probably when you will gain maximum benefit from exercise. Take a look at the list of several reasons why it’s important to exercise in winter. Also, health experts urge, that exercise should always be incorporated into your everyday routine, no matter the weather.

Stay fit

Winter weight gain is a common complaint of many people. It seems that every winter we add on a few pounds. And those extra pounds acquired over the winter may stay on year after year, eventually contributing to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. While you can hide those extra pounds under thick coats and sweaters in winter, you can’t hide them during the summer season. Exercising during the winter time helps you stay in shape all year round.

No indulgence

We all crave rich carbs and fat laden comfort foods to combat winter blues. And it can be hard to resist these not too healthy temptations in the cold. However, we should opt for healthy eating. Include occasional small portions of winter treats that you really love, but balance this by eating more prudently at other meals and by increasing the amount of exercise you’re doing.

Improve immunity

Regular exercise is a powerful immunity booster. It strengthens your immune system so it can fight off bacterial and viral infections. This becomes particularly important in winter when colds and flu rear their ugly heads. Even a 10 minute workout can make a huge difference to how you feel. Regular moderate exercise will boost immunity by improving lymphatic and cardiovascular circulation. However, the effects of exercise on your immune system are short lived and in order to optimise these effects it is important to exercise regularly.

Change mood

As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, even the best of us can get a little down. No one loves those cold, grey days. Although we can’t change the weather, we can change our mood. Exercising is one of the best ways to improve your mood and combat the winter blues. Studies show that exercising helps boost your feel-good endorphins, making you feel happier. And in addition to alleviating the symptoms of depression, you are also getting stronger, fitter and building confidence along the way! Plus if you combine exercise with the great outdoors you can cheer yourself up even more! As the body works harder to stay warm, the amount of endorphins produced also increases, leaving you with a stronger sense of happiness and lightness following a workout in the cold. Also, Vitamin D from sun exposure will perk you up.

Get creative

Instead of letting cold temperatures put your exercise routine on hold, vary your workout routine to fit the weather. Think of winter as a great opportunity to try something different. Get creative and think of the fun and interesting ways to stay active. Winter offers a variety of exercise options; for both inside and out. From skiing, skating, jumping the rope, hot yoga, mall walking there are many great options to consider. We know winter is a high-risk time for weight gain, so we must create and follow strategies to minimise eating and maximise opportunities for exercise.

Energise yourself

Whether you’re a beginner to exercise or a seasoned pro, maintaining an active lifestyle during the colder months can boost energy levels and reduce fatigue. Even if exercise is the last thing you feel like doing, any kind of physical activity every day is a must. So if you want to feel energised through winter, then exercise is a great tool.

(Kalra is a Chandigarh-based health and fitness expert)