Week Two: Stay Active

Welcome to the second week of Healthy Lifestyle's Healthy Holidays program! This week we are going to explore new ways to incorporate physical activity into your busy holiday schedule. During the holidays it can be difficult to find time to be active. However, it is important for your overall health and well-being to stay active especially during this time of year. It will help you feel more energized, focused and fit, which will allow you to meet the demands of the season. Below are some benefits, tips, and ideas to stay active!

Tips:
Acknowledge the holidays probably will affect your exercise program to some extent, make adjustments to prioritze exercise to help you stay fit during the season.  Cold weather should not be an excuse to forget about physical activity. There are many options for physical activity during the winter months however it may take a little bit of planning. If you prefer to workout outside, keep in mind the following tips:
    o Warm up First: A proper warm up is critical before engaging in moderate to vigorous activity, especially in cold temperatures.
    o Insulate your Body: The best way to dress for outdoor activity is with layers. Remember the three W’s when deciding how to layer, wicking, warmth, and wind. The layer closest to your body should be able to wick away perspiration and the outer layers should provide warmth and protection from the wind.
    o No Sweat: Remember, you don’t have to sweat in order to get a good workout. Try to avoid sweating because that causes the layer of clothing closest to your skin to get wet.
    o Stay Hydrated: Even though you might not feel thirsty, it is just as important to stay hydrated in the winter as it is in the summer.
    o Daylight: It is best to exercise during daylight hours. However, if you must exercise outside when it is dark, try to avoid high traffic areas and be sure to wear reflective materials to ensure that you can be seen.

- Find a fun new winter activity. Click on any of the following activities to find out more information: Create your own home gym, cross country skiing, snowboarding, skiing, Nordic Walking, snowshoeing, go to an aerobics class, join a gym (at the government center or in the Salt Lake Area), indoor swimming, or go sledding.

Week Two Challenges:
Pick one of the following challenges to work on throughout the week. Choose something that is individual and challenging. Remember to track if you completed the challenge on your tracker sheet each day.

-Try to increase phsyical activity throughout the holiday season by always parking far away, walking when possible (such as on your breaks or during lunch), and always taking the stairs. Move whenever possible. Remember how fun it is to move.

- Limit the amount of time your family spends in front of the television. Instead, try starting a new tradition that incorporates fitness like taking a walk around the neighborhood to look at holiday decorations.

- If you find yourself becoming stressed or overwhelmed with the holiday season, engage in physical activity such as going on a walk, riding a bike, or shooting some hoops.

- Try one of the following winter activities: ice skating, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snow skiing, sledding, snow shoeing, Nordic walking, snowball fight, snow football, make a snow fort, make snow angels, join a gym, shovel snow for a neighbor, walk around the mall, or set up your own fitness center at home.

-Take a downtown walking tour. Click here to find a map.

Enjoy the educational and fun videos below on Staying Active!

Post Title : Week Two: Stay Active

Week Two: Stay Active,