January is Family Fit Lifestyle Month, but freezing temperatures and forecasts of snow flurries can make staying active in the winter harder than normal. Below are a few tips to keep the whole family moving during the colder months to promote a fit lifestyle.
Host a dance party or other at-home sweat session. No equipment is needed to get your heart rate up and your lungs pumping. Crank up the tunes and show off your best moves, follow along to a choreographed number or take a yoga class in your living room for a lower-intensity workout.
Make the winter weather part of your workout. Sledding can certainly break a sweat, and there's plenty of bending, lunging and squatting involved in building a snowman. Next time your area of North Carolina has the pleasure of a snow day, embrace it for a workout you can't get all year long.
Bundle up and head outside anyway. Walking warriors and outdoor enthusiasts often say that there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. Review Harvard Health Publishing's advice on how to dress for cold weather workouts and enjoy a run, bike ride or hike free from North Carolina's sweltering, summer humidity.
Get creative about how you get your steps. If braving the frigid temps just isn't for you, there are other ways to keep your step count up. Take the stairs instead of the elevator when at the office. Make a few laps at the mall (where purchases add extra weight). Or get a head start on spring cleaning since most household chores are a great way to focus on functional fitness.
Want a deeper look at how to make movement more joyful no matter the weather? Watch our Wellness Webinar from October 2023 for expert insight from LifeStyle Medical Centers' Katie Godin, RD, LDN and a delicious low-sugar protein bar recipe.
If your family's fitness-focused activities lead to an accident or injury this winter or any other time of year, NCFlex's Accident Plan may cover expenses incurred. Plus, state employees with Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts can use their pre-tax dollars to purchase many recovery supplies. Learn more about what's covered here.
|