Heat up with exercise during cold months

Snowshoeing burns 300-500 calories per half-hour, and you don't have to go far to enjoy regional trails.ERIE TIMES-NEWS

Are you a seasonal exerciser? From spring to fall, hoards of people are outside walking, biking and playing golf. Yet as soon as the temperature drops below freezing, do you hunker down to hibernate for several months?

This is the worst fitness philosophy to adopt. And you emerge in the spring with the spare tire around your middle to prove it.

Exercising during the winter is crucial. Activities, especially those that are outdoors, torch lots of calories, bolster your immune system and boost your mood. There's nothing quite like fresh air and sunshine to help you feel motivated and alive. I find it helps the cold months fly by.

Most people can safely exercise outside during the winter. If you have heart problems, breathing difficulties, Raynaud's disease or balance issues, check with your doctor about exercising outdoors. Also, take care to bundle up properly by dressing in layers, protecting your hands, feet and ears, and choosing appropriate footwear.


Walk on snow

Anne DeSarro, naturalist at Presque Isle State Park, said that if you can walk, you can snowshoe. "It's a very intuitive activity," she said. Unlike walking on pavement, snowshoeing burns 300-500 calories per half-hour, so prepare to heat up quickly. Walking across the snow is similar to hiking because of the lifting motion with each step. It's an effective way to tone your lower body. From Presque Isle to Asbury Woods to Peek'n Peak Resort and Spa, trails abound in our neck of the woods.


Figure it out

You don't have to be Caryn Kadavy to enjoy gliding across the ice. If you haven't laced up your skates since childhood, now is the time to get back into this low-impact cardio exercise. Once you begin skating regularly you can increase your speed and distance to strengthen your core and legs. You can burn 300-400 calories in 30 minutes. Skating will boost your agility and balance, too. Whether by rink or pond, with your own skates or rentals, your blades will sharpen your physique.


Walk it out

Every winter I'm grateful for the Multi-Purpose Trail at Presque Isle. From the park entrance to the Ranger Station, the trail is kept plowed by the staff so hundreds of dedicated walkers and runners can safely use it year round. I was reminded by DeSarro that winter provides an opportunity for wildlife watching that is easier than in the summer because leaves don't obscure the view. If you want to go past the cleared sidewalk, the trails are typically tamped down, courtesy of the cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

If you just can't bring yourself to step outside while the snow flies, engage in fun indoor activities.


Dive in

As children we delighted in swimming our way through summer vacation, but somewhere in adulthood we lost sight of the pool and all it has to offer. That's a shame because swimming can be enjoyed indoors or out.

Laps provide a full-body workout, and the buoyancy of the water makes it easier on the body so it is a perfect starting point for the unfit or people with muscle and joint problems. Slowly swimming laps for 30 minutes burns 250 calories. Don't know how to swim? Winter is a perfect time to learn.


Waltz in

Now that "Dancing with the Stars" is over, unleash your inner Cheryl Burke and learn to dance. From swing to tango, dance lessons are a fun way to pass the winter months and a great way to meet new friends. Two left feet? "No problem," says Connie Shoop, of Connie's Ballroom Dance. "I will show you which left foot to move!" Her stance is that anyone can learn how to dance. Ballroom dancing is a delightful way of improving posture, balance and muscle tone. Depending on the style of dance, you can burn 200-400 calories per hour.


Net it

At 400 calories per half an hour of net time, tennis is a quick way to lose weight and get into shape. It's ideal for sculpting guns and gams. Racquet sports tighten your core, enhance agility and improve your range of motion. Winter is an ideal time to schedule lessons because by the time summer arrives, you will be ready to debut your swing on outdoor courts.


