Many people, when trying to incorporate an exercise routine into their lives find that running on a treadmill, or climbing a stair master, and gliding on an elliptical machine in the confines of a heavily ventilated gym with the only the sounds of heavy breathing is not conducive to building a routine.

Taking into account where you live and the opportunities presented in the natural environment can make getting healthy and in shape an appealing, and more importantly, fun prospect. For citizens living near mountain ranges, skiing or snowboarding offers an exciting opportunity to learn a new sport and get a new body.

Learning a new sport offers a chance to ‘forget’ about the exercise and take pleasure in the learning of a new skill and the coordination of different muscles that will challenge your body in new ways without being trapped in a repetitive exercise cycle with only the sound of your digital sport watch to keep you company. Cold weather exercise is also extremely adept at building endurance due to the requirement of muscles to work harder at colder temperatures.

With the weather so cold, it can easily be overlooked that your body is being taxed. Medical considerations also extend to the need to be safe. Skiing is a high-speed activity with falling down being not a rare consequence and so wearing a ski helmet is imperative for all levels of skiers.

The benefits of skiing are akin to the benefits of yoga which impact balance and flexibility while toning your legs and abs but not straining the joints in the way that running does. A full day of skiing burns over 500 calories an hour! This sort of exertion should act as a caution to any novice skier to stay hydrated!

In contrast to skiing, snowboarding is looked at as a more alternative and extreme public face, but has been fully accepted as a valid winter sport. Snowboarding targets your calves and quads when guiding the board, your ankles and feet when steering, and your core in overall balance. Shredding down a mountain through thick powdery snow is also a powerful alleviator of stress and anxiety and can help in your overall mental health. Part of the fun of snowboarding is the range of outfits you can use to express yourself from bright orange suspenders and checkerboard pants to edgier fare like a motorcycle-type black helmet.

Snowboarding is about fun and individuality as well as being a proper and tiring exercise. Finding what is right for you in the realm of winter sports can make the winter months fly by and your exercise regime take a turn in a uniquely different direction.

Tags: exercise, healthy living, keeping fit
Filed under: Fat Loss