- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- moms today articles
- moms today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Cold-weather Workouts
Exercising in a Winter Wonderland By Teri Brown
Berman says it's also important to let your body get used to the climate change. Don't expect to be able to perform to the same intensity you would in warmer temperatures right away.
"Take your time and slowly progress until you are able to work up to that point," Berman says. "Also, make sure you drink lots of fluids. Although you may not feel as thirsty, you are still losing water and need to keep 
hydrated."
So if you want to keep your family active in the winter, take it outside. The following winter workouts will help keep your family in shape, the fun way!
Sledding
This is a fabulous family activity that promotes fitness and fun. Try the following variations on the walk up the hill to get the most out of your workout. - Turn to the side. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Holding the sled in one hand, walk sideways, with your legs moving across one another in a scissor-like motion, up the hill. Remember to alternate legs, one leg in front of the other, all the way up the hill.
- Walk up the hill backwards. This works a whole different set of muscles than the scissor walk or conventional frontward walk.
The Snow Shoe Shuffle
Snowshoeing can be an excellent cardio sport on its own, but you can get an extra kick by doing the following snowshoe exercises! Do these after you have been snowshoeing for a bit so your muscles are limber and warm, but don't wait too long or fatigue may have set in, increasing your chance of injury! - Stand with your feet roughly shoulder width apart. Look straight foreword and place both arms in front of you. Slowly bend down until your hamstrings touch your calves. Push off of your heels and raise yourself back up to the starting position. Repeat.
- Stand in front of a tree and hold on to it with both hands. Slowly slide your foot back and lift your leg off the ground, right behind you. You will feel your buttocks take over and sustain the leg as it travels through space; you will feel the work primarily in the upper part of the butt. Lower the leg back to the start position and repeat. Try not to swing the leg back and forth.
