TIME TO BEAT THE WINTER BLAHS - GO ON AN ADVENTURE

 It’s tough to be active outside when it’s -20 below.  And sure, shovelling all that snow has made you fed up with winter, but hey, I would consider that exercise!  LOL.  Okay, all kidding aside, going outside and getting some exercise is not only a good way to keep the weight off, but helps boost your immune system and your mental health as well.  

And yes, there are a number of ways you can go out doors and beat those winter blahs.

So it’s time for a winter Adventure!

Going for a hike and enjoying nature is great for overall health.  We have many great trails both inside the city and in the nearby country that offer a great winter experience.  The best thing is it’s free!  And it really helps improve your mood.

Go for Skate.  There is no excuse for giving this a try.  Indoor and outdoor rinks, duck ponds and the river trail all give you a chance to lace up.  

Cross Country Skiing - gliding over the snow will get that heart-rate up and yet is easy on the joints.  We have a lot of groomed and ungroomed trails that will keep you going!

Snowshoeing - is similar to hiking but lets you go into deep snow areas.  The nice thing is that this is low-impact on the joints as the snow helps to cushion the impact.

Want something more challenging?

Downhill Skiing or Snowboarding is a great reason to get out and enjoy the day.  

Fat Biking - hopping on one of these all-terrain bikes is a great cardio workout. Although expensive to buy outright, rentals are usually available.

Whatever you choose, the important thing is to dress appropriately.

In Scandinavia, there is a saying:  “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

The important thing is to Layer!   Each layer has a function;

Base layer  or underwear layer: wicks sweat off your skin

A Synthetic Base Layer like nylon or polyester is preferred, although a natural fabric like wool and bamboo could be used.

Middle layer is your insulating layer: retains body heat to protect you from the cold

Wool or fleece is great, whereas a down or synthetic jacket are also good options.

Outer layer or Shell: shields you from the elements - wind, rain, snow.

You can opt for Waterproof, Wind-resistant, etc.  There are a lot of options.

It’s always a good idea to wear all layers on every outing. You can take a layer off if you get hot,  but you can’t put on layers if they aren’t with you!

Don’t forget a hat and mitts.  You lose a lot of heat from your extremities and are accessible to frostbite.  I prefer mitts to gloves - keeping the fingers together help to retain some body heat.

Goggles and a neck warmer or scarf should be considered.

VEHICLE TRAVEL - BE PREPARED

If you decide to go out for a country adventure it’s important to keep certain things in your car for an unexpected emergency.  Here a number of things to consider;

• Water in an Insulated Thermos
• Non-perishable foods like nuts, seeds and energy bars
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Spare Clothing
• Matches,  Candle, Flashlight
• Hand and feet warmers
• Notepad/paper and pencil
• First Aid Kit
• Small Shovel
• Extra batteries, Portable Charger
• Portable Battery Booster, Booster cables
• Small tool kit
• Full tank of gas

Even though the weather may be less than desirable, you can still make the best of it.

Planning in advance is always a good thing for a more challenging adventure.  Checking out the weather, packing the right equipment and layering, will all make your outdoor time a great experience.