
Eskenazi Health pediatrician
Staying active and healthy during the spring, summer and fall is made easier by having the entire great outdoors to use as your workout space.
Once the weather turns cold in late November and stays there through mid-April or so, outdoor activity opportunities are fewer and less convenient, and the inspiration to be active for an hour a day as recommended begins to wane.
So the question becomes, where do you find the motivation and wherewithal to stay in shape now that Old Man Winter has taken hold?
The No. 1 mission in order to stay in shape during the winter is to stay motivated. Concentrate on the effort it took to get healthy and be mindful that bears hibernate, people do not.
For all of those who love to run outdoors, you’ll want to explore the best ways to layer up to stay reasonably warm while keeping your range of motion during your runs.
As you prepare for the worst winter has to offer, be mindful that cold air can be a trigger for asthma and difficulty in breathing while running. If you have any concerns about taking on a winter weather running routine, be sure to visit your physician beforehand.
Another way to stay healthy is to embrace winter sports like ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, sledding or cross-country skiing. Trying something new can be motivating and a great way to stay active while having a good time.
For youngsters wanting to be healthy, there are indoor play gyms that provide the opportunity to play, run, climb and sweat. Parents can use their creativity to turn a basement or extra room in their homes into a makeshift gym where kids can jump rope, do pushups, play nerf basketball, etc. Kids and adults can get a good workout with little space or equipment; desire is what’s most important.
The library is also a place to get out of the house and get some brain exercise, and each branch has fun activities scheduled throughout the winter months. The YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs and Indy Parks also offer low-cost or free activities.
If you are in need of a pediatrician for your child or a primary care physician for yourself, call 317-880-8687 or visit www.eskenazihealth.edu/doctors.