Written by Guest Blogger, Fehmida
Winter is a time when hibernating is very tempting and couch potato syndrome sets in. Increased temperature in our homes makes us sleepy and inactive while plummeting temperatures increases our appetites. Reasons why we should exercise in winter:
- To maintain strength stamina and fitness gained in the warmer (and more active) months
- Avoid weight gain
- Elevate fitness levels
- Exercising in the cold (outdoors) burns more calories
If you do not have access to a gym, personal trainer or training group then why not work out in the comfort of your home?
Tips to make working out at home easy:
- Invest in a set of inexpensive hand weights, a resistance band and a stability ball if possible
- Purchase good exercise DVD’s. Do your homework thoroughly prior to purchasing. Find people with whom you can swop DVD’s.
- Find literature with different exercise workouts
- Aim for 45 minutes exercise 3-4 times per week, thereafter steadily increasing it
- Get a friend to join you
- Body weight exercises are an excellent form of exercise and no equipment is required
Examples of a few bodyweight exercises:
- Planks
- Push ups
- Lunges and squats
- Chair dips
- Abdominal and reverse crunches
- Supermans
Watch this space for more info on exercising outdoors and body weight exercises
Fehmida.
More about our Guest Blogger
Let me introduce you to a wonderful friend, Femida. Our first contact was telephonic, when I called her to ask if I could bring my son to her Moms and Tots Workshop. That call was the beginning of a lasting and dear friendship.
Fehmida has an honours degree in Social Work. She ran a successful Moms and Tots Business for 13 years, but her interest always leaned towards exercise. Equipped with a Diploma in Exercise Science, Fehmida opened her own ladies only gym called Fitness Fusion in 2009. She is my Go-To Diva for Fitness inspiration. Her ethos focuses on health gain rather than weight loss. It’s a lifestyle she says! Fehmida is my only friend, or should I say the only female I know who has a six pack.
Skipping ropes are the best< its a great workout and inexpensive as well
That’s a fantastic idea Shaatirah. 5 minutes just before I hit the shower will work for me.
Yes, skipping (also called jump rope) is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise.It works arms, legs, core and enhances balance and co-ordination. It is portable, economical, compact and can be used anywhere. Can be done indoors if you want to escape the cold weather. TIPS: Wear proper training shoes to reduce impact; do not skip on a hard surface; engage core muscles when skipping; a sedentary and/or overweight or hypertensive person should consult a physician prior to embarking on a jump rope exercise routine; a thorough warm up must be done prior and conclude with a cool down and stretch. Enjoy!