Stay fit during this Winter Wonderland

Here is a great article we found that gives some very helpful hints for staying fit during the winter months. 

Check it out! 

It is easy to see why bears hibernate in the winter- between the cold weather, gray skies, and holiday food, it is extremely hard to find motivation to do anything, much less exercise. Packing on the pounds in winter has become somewhat of an American tradition, and I say it's time to start a new, healthier tradition for the new decade! By making a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can beat the winter bulge and prime your body for spring time!

1. Wake up and be active earlier. I know, it's cold outside and warm under the blankets, but get out of bed! Not only do studies show that people who exercise in the morning are more likely to stick to their routine, but it also helps you catch a bit more daylight. When the days are shorter and it's already dark by the time you get home from work at 5pm, you may find that the extra hour of daylight in the morning is just what you need to make you feel as though the whole day was not a loss. For me, the dark is my trigger that the day is over and I can just veg out on the couch, which is why the extra time in the morning was so important.
2. Clean your house. Refer to step 1- don't feel obligated to use the extra time in the morning to just exercise- do the dishes, sweep the floor, vacuum- because for some reason, 20 minutes of house cleaning has been shown to heighten your mood! Of course you can do this at other times of the day as well, but if you work during the day, think about how nice it would be to come home to a clean house instead of worrying about everything that needs to be done when you get home. In addition to improving your mood, cleaning does indeed burn calories. 10 minutes of vacuuming for a 150 lb woman burns about 15 calories, which may not sound like a lot, but quickly adds up. Plus, how satisfying is it when you finally sit down to relax and everything is in order?
3. Fruit is not just for summer! Although a vibrant colored fruit salad may be reminiscent of summer, there are many fruits that peak in winter and are underutilized! Bananas (Potassium and Vitamin C), Clementines (Vitamin C), and Pomegranates (Antioxidants & Vitamin A) are just some of the fruits that are best in winter. Vitamin C can be obtained by sunlight, but when the sun disappears during the winter months, the next best thing is to get it through your food. Plus, they taste fantastic and are cheaper in season!
4. Don't forget about the dog! Every day when I get up, my dog is super excited to get outside. He does not discriminate against the weather. He does not get less excited because the sun is not out. Use your dog's energy for some motivation: go outside and breath deep (by the way, doesn't the winter air feel fresh and crisp). Get some oxygen going through your body to wake you up, and go play fetch- with your dog of course! Don't have a dog? You probably have friends or familywith less motivation than you who have a dog you could borrow. Better yet, get your friend or family member to go outside with you. Although complaining may commence when you drag your friends out in the cold, I guarantee they will thank you come spring!
5. Winter clothes are a drag! Doubled up sweatshirts are not flattering to the body. They also cover up a lot and make it much easier to ignore any weight gain or flabbiness that may be ensuing. Do your best to find more form fitting winter clothes instead of extra large sweatshirts. This way, when you look in the mirror and notice any difference in your body, you can catch and correct it right away rather than putting on your first short sleeve shirt in spring and realizing that its now too tight.

Read more: How to Stay in Shape During the Winter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5878284_stay-shape-during-winter.html#ixzz1ElGgEEyg