Winter of Activity (with workouts to try at home!)
Winter of Activity (with workouts to try at home!)
Winter is officially here. I’m writing this post in an effort to discourage you/me from that urge to simply…hibernate. Yes, it’s cold. But life goes on! We can’t let a little cold, gray weather throw us off track and shut our bodies down! We need to stay active, now more than ever.
First let’s talk about going outside. In the snow/rain/sleet/rare sun. Going outside even when you don’t want to. The snow is beautiful from your window…but here’s the thing: going outside is important for our physical and emotional well-being. Did you know that going outside, even for a few minutes a day can not only raise your body’s vitamin D levels, which is vital to heart, bone, and mental health, but can also enhance creativity and cognitive function? In addition, light has been shown to elevate mood, and the natural light of the outdoors can calm, relax, and cheer you up. Studies have even shown that children with ADHD tend to be able to focus better after spending time outside. So this winter make an effort to get outside daily, no matter what, feel that ground beneath your feet and look up at the sky. And if it’s snowing, stick your tongue out!
Now let’s talk a little about why it’s even more important at this time of year than ever to stay active and keep moving. Exercise, as we know, helps to release stress and to calm and relax us. It can even help relieve anxiety and depressive symptoms, which can be even more common in winter (“winter blues”). In addition, exercise strengthens your body’s immune system, which allows it to better fight off bacterial and viral infections (i.e. flu, colds, etc.). As if that’s not enough to get you moving, consider reducing your heating bill by staying warm through movement!
All of that said, now that you’ve convinced yourself that this winter will be the winter of activity, maybe you’re willing to go outside a little but not feeling up to exercising in the cold. And maybe you’re needing something for a day when you’re not at Water and Rock Studio (which is rare since you’re there every chance you get!). Well, here are some Water and Rock Studio prescribed workouts for you to try at home. And remember, push yourself to your limit, get that heart rate up, feel the warmth!
Workout A
Complete as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes: 5 burpees, 10 push-ups, 15 air squats
Workout B
20 minutes: 1 minute sumo deadlift high pulls, 1 minute warrior II right side, 1 minute burpees, 1 minute warrior II left side
Workout C
Complete for time (as fast as possible): 21 thrusters, 21 jumping air squats, 21 breaths plank, 15 thrusters, 15 jumping air squats, 15 breaths plank, 9 thrusters, 9 jumping air squats, 9 breaths plank
All the best!