With colder weather quickly approaching, it may become more difficult to continue daily cardiovascular exercise outdoors. Motivation to get out there often slips over the winter months and it becomes easy to fall back into old habits. It is important to problem solve now before bad weather keeps you from following through with your exercise routine. Here are a few simple suggestions:

When motivation starts to slip, having a partner who is expecting to meet you can be a lifesaver. Choose someone who lives nearby, perhaps even your spouse, and formulate a plan. Decide on specific dates and amounts of time that you want to exercise and discuss these with your partner.

Park in the farthest spot from work and walk around the building before starting your day, take the stairs, walk with a friend in the halls on your lunch hour or walk extra laps around the mall when shopping. These simple modifications to your daily routine can add up to many miles of exercise over the course of a year. 

 

Remember, you do not have to do the same type of cardiovascular exercise year round. In the winter consider exercise tapes or an exercise class. Switch from walking to snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Consider a family "healthy" Christmas gift in the form of a piece of cardiovascular exercise equipment.

 

If you are starting a new type of cardiovascular exercise, remember to start out with a moderate amount and pace. You will be using your muscles differently with the new activity and may experience some new muscle soreness. This is to be expected and will resolve in a few days. Your ultimate goal with the new routine will be 35-45 minutes of exercise in your target heart range.

 

So don't let the winter weather be an excuse to stop doing your cardivascular exercise. The benefits or aerobic exercise are particularly important during the dreary winter months. So good luck and happy exercising!