Winter Workouts: Get Out There!
by David McCaskill
Winter is here and it's no time to hibernate!
Staying inside often means breathing in too much bad indoor air, gaining
weight and getting the winter blues and bugs.
Exercising inside the gym is great for strength training but exercising outside
during a New England winter really stiffens the backbone!
That's why one of my favorite winter scenes is a cross country ski trail with
spruce and fir trees cloaked in a fresh dusting of snow. It's beautiful, and it
beckons the adventurous soul and winter-bound body.
Here in Maine we have a wonderful year-round outdoor playground (usually
free of charge) for fun and exercise. Winter activities, such as cross country
skiing, snow shoeing or simply walking briskly in the cold, crisp air, are fairly
inexpensive and easy on the joints.
Outdoor exercise also helps increase metabolism rates to fight weight gain and
keep brain endorphin levels up, which help keep us peppy and free of the
winter blues.
(Although my favorite reason for outdoor winter exercise is the smug feeling of
earning that post work-out lounge around the wood stove with a cup of hot chai
tea!)
So where to go and what to do?
If there's no convenient woods road or nearby snowmobile trail (always check
with the landowner about access), check out some of Maine's State Parks.
There are extensive trail systems at Bradbury Mountain in southern Maine,
Camden Hills and Acadia National Park on the coast, Mount Blue State Park in
the western mountains and, up north, at Aroostook State Park and Baxter State
Park (where winter trips require proof of experience and registration).
For more information on cross skiing centers in Maine, including the two world
class centers in Aroostook County, go to www.mainewsc.org
Prepare for the adventure
When venturing out during your winter wanderings dress in layers and choose
clothes, especially your windproof outer layer that vents or breathes to manage
moisture (sweat).
Protect exposed, skin, from the wind and drink plenty of fluids to prevent
dehydration in the cold dry winter air. Also, don't forget that old adage, cotton
kills: dress in wool or synthetics (made of recycled plastics!) that don't retain
moisture.
One more thing: It's really important to be able to recognize the symptoms of
hypothermia (uncontrolled shivering, drowsiness, slurred speech, numbness)
and understand the concepts of wind chill. When exercising in the cold, the risk
of hypothermia is usually greatest when you stop and don't have access to
warm dry shelter or dry clothes.
Along with winter clothing, footwear is much improved as well, such as the new
lightweight but warm boots designed for snowshoeing and winter running
shoes with spikes that grip those patches of ice and snow, but push back up into
the sole when you hit pavement again.
Stay healthy this winter and get outside and exercise to keep the blues and the
bugs at bay!
About the Author: David McCaskill is an Environmental Engineer with
the Maine DEP's Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management.
by David McCaskill
Winter is here and it's no time to hibernate!
Staying inside often means breathing in too much bad indoor air, gaining
weight and getting the winter blues and bugs.
Exercising inside the gym is great for strength training but exercising outside
during a New England winter really stiffens the backbone!
That's why one of my favorite winter scenes is a cross country ski trail with
spruce and fir trees cloaked in a fresh dusting of snow. It's beautiful, and it
beckons the adventurous soul and winter-bound body.
Here in Maine we have a wonderful year-round outdoor playground (usually
free of charge) for fun and exercise. Winter activities, such as cross country
skiing, snow shoeing or simply walking briskly in the cold, crisp air, are fairly
inexpensive and easy on the joints.
Outdoor exercise also helps increase metabolism rates to fight weight gain and
keep brain endorphin levels up, which help keep us peppy and free of the
winter blues.
(Although my favorite reason for outdoor winter exercise is the smug feeling of
earning that post work-out lounge around the wood stove with a cup of hot chai
tea!)
So where to go and what to do?
If there's no convenient woods road or nearby snowmobile trail (always check
with the landowner about access), check out some of Maine's State Parks.
There are extensive trail systems at Bradbury Mountain in southern Maine,
Camden Hills and Acadia National Park on the coast, Mount Blue State Park in
the western mountains and, up north, at Aroostook State Park and Baxter State
Park (where winter trips require proof of experience and registration).
For more information on cross skiing centers in Maine, including the two world
class centers in Aroostook County, go to www.mainewsc.org
Prepare for the adventure
When venturing out during your winter wanderings dress in layers and choose
clothes, especially your windproof outer layer that vents or breathes to manage
moisture (sweat).
Protect exposed, skin, from the wind and drink plenty of fluids to prevent
dehydration in the cold dry winter air. Also, don't forget that old adage, cotton
kills: dress in wool or synthetics (made of recycled plastics!) that don't retain
moisture.
One more thing: It's really important to be able to recognize the symptoms of
hypothermia (uncontrolled shivering, drowsiness, slurred speech, numbness)
and understand the concepts of wind chill. When exercising in the cold, the risk
of hypothermia is usually greatest when you stop and don't have access to
warm dry shelter or dry clothes.
Along with winter clothing, footwear is much improved as well, such as the new
lightweight but warm boots designed for snowshoeing and winter running
shoes with spikes that grip those patches of ice and snow, but push back up into
the sole when you hit pavement again.
Stay healthy this winter and get outside and exercise to keep the blues and the
bugs at bay!
About the Author: David McCaskill is an Environmental Engineer with
the Maine DEP's Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management.
| The Heart of New England Celebrating the unique character & culture of Maine ~ New Hampshire ~ Vermont |
| Home ~ Life in New England ~ Recipes ~ Garden ~ Travel ~ B&B/Inns ~ Made in New England ~ Events ~ Marketplace ~ Site Map ~ About/Contact Us |
| ©The Heart of New England online magazine ...celebrating the unique character & culture of Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont! Contact| The Heart of New England HOME | Search Click Here to Get Your FREE Weekly Newsletter Today! |
Join us on Facebook or for exclusive updates, travel specials, giveaways & more! Click here to get your FREE subscription to The Heart of New England weekly newsletter (and get your free desktop backgrounds!) Bring the heart of New England into your home with beautiful, affordable, high-quality New England prints. Visit our New England Art Gallery today! Click here for more about Life in New England |
