This time of year I seem to accumulate some extra winter weight. It seems worse as I get older and since I have moved way up north to Maine. I have several theories on why northern climate aids in gaining winter weight. I write history and have learned quite a bit with all of the research that I have done over the years. The further north you go, obvioulsy the colder it gets in the winter. One of the ways people have combatted the intense cold was to layer on the clothes, have a good supply of wood to burn for heat, and if you are a man to grow facial hair, and for both genders to gain fat stores over the winter. The man thing about growing beards and facial hair over the winter might look yucky, but is perfectly understandable. This is noted as you live way up in the wilderness of Maine. Alot of people work outdoors and any way possible of protecting your skin from temperatures which can drop as low as fifty degrees below zero is understandable and accepted. I have seen the real life damage on someone I know from frostbite. This person I knew only lost his fingers, though could have lost his ears and nose as well. So, understandable in the ways people have to protect themselves. Also, the winter weight idea. We have most of our holidays over the winter as our days grow shorter in daylight and colder. This would add to the emotional impact of the winter on one's psyche. And age naturally plays a part in the weight issue and it becomes increasingly more and more difficult to lose that extra winter weight. So, being a single mother I have learned many ways to solve issues with the least amount of money possibly being spent. I would love to be able to hit the gym, but have not had the time for it and am simply too tired at the end of the day. I therefore had to be creative. I made my housework and chores into a work-out routine. Cheap, since there is no travel time to the gym nor membership dues. Practical, since things get done and by being active it helps lose that winter weight.
Here are some of the ideas that worked for me;
1. Stairs; use them as much as possible. Find any excuse to go up and down them. I am famous for my stair walks and divide larger loads of laundry etc into smaller ones for more trips.
2. Cleaning. A clean home is a peaceful home and more energy is used with each time you clean. Mopping, sweeping, dusting etc. You get the point. I run around the house each night and clear away the clutter as well. I try to add speed to my chores and take less breaks. This way the house gets clean and I am burning off the weight. The more times you clean, the more energy gets used that that is good!
3. Walking the dog; make it into an exercise routine for both you and the dog. Pick up the pace and walk a longer distance if you can.
4. Get the mail. I try to get the mail myself rather than have the kids get it. We have a long driveway and it is more exercise for me.
5. Get rid of the remote if possible-hmmmmm I mean really? Sounds good, though I am still working on that one!
6. Gardening is always good for your yard, your belly if a vegetable garden or herb garden, and for the soul. Fresh air is always good. And true gardening is hard work and very enjoyable. I used to run around each time a bee appeared, though had to let go of that routine! It was a good one-but not that practical for obvious reasons!
7. We have a woodstove and cut down trees from our own property. This is a good workout especially. Though I have been told not to use a chainsaw or axe since I am not that good at it. However, I do make a point to help with stacking the wood in the basement, which usually consists of 6-8 cords of wood a year down there!
8. I have a farm and there is tons to do with that! With daily chores and even the fun ones of chasing the animals when they escape!
9. Shovel the driveway. I know it sounds daunting and in Maine with big snow-not as easy as it sounds. I even have garages. I have since parked my car at the end of the driveway and have gotten up earlier to shovel my way out in the morning. I try to shovel the driveway on my own due to the excercise value of it over the years. It can be painful and greuling-but what true workout isnt? Remember lift with your legs and not your back or arms. This helps and is much better on your back. It is a good weight lifting workout.
10. Park farther way from a store when running errands or whenever possible. This again is more walking and very good for you!
11. Get a pushmower instead of a ride on one. In my old house in Norton, it would take me a good three hours each Saturday morning to mow my lawn. It became my meditation routine and very zen to me! I would put my little ones in a play pen and have the neighbors watch them while I mowed the lawn. Up here, way too insane for a push mower and I do not have ten hours to spend on that with a push mower! Dang ! I do miss it though! :(
I gave you just a few of the ideas that have worked for me over the years. If you already do them-good for you! Basically, you can be creative in making your home a gym. It is definately worth it. The key is to get out there as much as possible. For the more you get off you butt and run after something, the more that winter weight becomes a distant memory! Yea! Despite the age you are. The more active you are the more youth you retain with all of your homemade exercise! Plus, it helps me to keep up with my kids in being as active as I try to be. So, make it practice and not just theory and wishful thinking! :)