| Embrace Winter! |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by melanie |
| Monday, 21 December 2009 09:51 |
|
From www.womensadventuremagazine.com. I contributed a couple quotes on this one... By Courtenay Johnson and Michelle Theall
Tip: Play. No one says you need to run or bike or snowshoe if these sports aren’t for you. Try a game of snow tag, build an igloo, go ice skating, join a hockey team, or make a snowboard jump in your backyard. Find some reliable and fun friends to train with. It makes it tougher to duck out of a workout if you feel you’re letting someone else down. – Chrissie Wellington. Reward yourself After she comes in from the cold, Wellington treats herself to a “movie night with warm pj’s and slippers.” While it doesn’t take a PhD to know that positive reinforcement works, sports psychologist Julie Emmerman emphasizes its effectiveness. “It’s a lot easier to get out the door and get your body moving if you know, once you return, there is your favorite cup of hot cocoa, tea, or a hot shower, waiting for you,” she says. Sign up for an event If you can’t find friends to hold you accountable, sign up for a snowshoe race like the Tubbs Romp to Stomp. Set a goal and train for it. “But choose goals that are realistic, enjoyable to pursue, and obtainable,” Emmerman advises. Tip: Before the snow flies, check out www.tubbsromptostomp.com and select the race nearest you. Or try www.active.com for a broad selection of events. Snowshoeing and skate-skiing give me a great workout in a short amount of time so I don’t have to be outside for as long. – Melanie McQuaid Limit your exposure Three-time XTERRA world champion Melanie McQuaid typically chooses activities that are accessible and pack a wallop. “Snowshoeing and skate-skiing give me a great workout in a short amount of time so I don’t have to be outside for as long,” she says. Likewise, Shayne Culpepper, twotime Olympic runner and co-owner of Solepepper Sports, suggests working out right outside your door: “This way you can have access to warm, dry clothes post-workout, and a warm drink isn’t too far away.” Tip: On the worst winter-weather days, select an activity close to home and try 20 to 30 minutes of intense training. Hit your favorite summer trails McQuaid is a fan of finding complements to what she loves doing in the summer to get her through cold-weather workouts. “Find a sport that’s like the winter version of a summer sport you like to do,” she advises. “I cross-country ski the trails that I love to mountain bike. I get to see the trails in a whole new way.” Tip: Scout a few of your go-to warm-weather hiking and biking trails and think about how you can use them when they’re covered in the fluffy white stuff. Quality winter outdoor apparel will be a purchase you won’t regret. – Shayne Culpepper Prepare We saved the most important tip for last: Buy winter gear that works and keep it handy. Culpepper suggests spending money on well-constructed clothing that will keep you warm and dry in the elements. “Quality winter outdoor apparel will be a purchase you won’t regret,” she says. “Keeping dry and warm on those cold, wet days will make [your activity] less daunting. There are tons of new fabrics and lightweight pieces out there.” According to Emmerman, having the right gear and apparel also builds confidence and “provides an added sense of psychological reassurance.” Tip: Assemble a winter arsenal and have it ready to go each morning. Don’t be afraid to wear the same outfit every day. Most base layers come with antimicrobial features and are breathable enough to eliminate heavy sweating
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email This
Hits: 358 Trackback(0)
Comments (0)
 Write comment
|
| Last Updated on Friday, 22 January 2010 10:58 |
TrackBack URI for this entry
Subscribe to this comment's feed
