Article from Guest Writer, Sue Ingebretson

Author, FibroWHYalgia

www.RebuildingWellness.com

Would you rather go outdoors to walk when the bees buzz and the flowers bloom or when Jack Frost is behind the wheel of a snowplow?

That’s a rhetorical question, by the way. Not too many people prefer blustery winds to summer breezes. It’s natural to feel a spring in your step when Spring is in the air, but what happens when the chilly months arrive?

To avoid losing your fitness groove, tweak your routine and do something different! If you’re an avid walker – keep up your walking activities by alternating and changing your locations. Walk in a local indoor mall, arboretum, community center, fitness club, or YWCA/YMCA. When the weather is acceptable, get outside and walk during the warmest part of the day paying particular attention to bundling up and wearing layers as appropriate.

When the days are shorter and colder, it might be a great time to try a completely new fitness activity. Look for stretching, dancing, yoga, tai chi, qigong, basic Pilates, and even indoor bicycling classes given at your local community center. These classes are typically offered at a variety of times throughout the day as well as in a reasonable price range. It’s a good way to try a new activity. Take it for a test drive to see if it’s something you’d like to incorporate into your fitness regimen. And don’t forget to have fun! When you find an activity that’s fun to do, you’re far more likely to do it on a regular basis.

Or, save the gas and try new activities at home. There are widely available exercise DVDs, interactive games, and TV programs offering fun and interesting routines. Try dancing, stretching, sports, and yoga/tai chi routines. Working out at home allows you to find the activities that work best for you and your schedule. It’s a great way to incorporate activities for the whole family. Either way — work out with the kids or all by yourself — you get to choose.

Grab your calendar and make sure you schedule your fitness activities. Write down – and block out the time for – the activities you plan to try and stick with it. Set achievable yet challenging goals for yourself and be sure to set deadlines. Don’t forget to track your progress. Jot down how long you exercised, what type of exercise you did, and any pertinent notes that will motivate you to stay with it.

Want to keep a good thing going throughout the year? Enlist a neighbor, friend, or relative to participate in your fitness activities with you! The extra accountability as well as extra support is a sure fire way to keep on track.

In summary, here are few things to keep in mind this season:

1)         Try new indoor walking venues to walk

2)         If outdoors, be sure to wear appropriate layers of clothing

3)         Be open to trying new forms of exercise – and make it fun

4)         Try new games or fitness activities at home

5)         Change your routine regularly creating a wide variety of activities

6)         Plan your fitness goals in advance and track your progress

7)         Enlist the help of a fitness buddy to ensure your fitness success

Of course, remember why you’re exercising in the first place. Deeper sleep, improved digestion, better mental clarity, and reduced pain will be your ultimate rewards. And, speaking of rewards … are you taking care to feed your body with healthy, nutrient-dense foods?

Give your body what it needs to heal and you’ll be ready with a spring in your step to head back outdoors in the months ahead.

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BIO:

Sue Ingebretson is an author, speaker, certified holistic health counselor, and the director of program development for the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Research and Education Center at California State University, Fullerton. Her book, FibroWHYalgia: Why Rebuilding the Ten Root Causes of Chronic Illness Restores Chronic Wellness, details her own healing journey from chronic illness to chronic wellness. Find more information at www.RebuildingWellness.com