Warming Up This Winter

When most people think of staying warm during the winter, they think of putting on more layers of clothing, turning up the heater, starting a fire in the fireplace, or cuddling underneath blankets. We tend to forget that activity can also warm our bodies up.

When my twin girls were younger, they would put on sweaters and wrap up in blankets whenever they were cold while doing their homework. I suggested every time they felt a little cold to get up and do a set of squats. By the end of the day, they would work in quite a bit of exercise and help themselves stay warm through activity.

Try finding exercise that you enjoy. You can walk around the house for a few minutes, maybe even picking up some clutter as you go, or you can do your home exercises from your doctor or physical therapist. Even stretching can help you warm up. Just remember to have proper form with whatever exercise you choose to keep yourself from injury.

Walking on Ice

I remember one winter I slipped on the ice and landed on my elbow. Oh, did it hurt!

Going out after a winter storm can be dangerous, and falling on ice can cause a more serious injury than just a sore elbow. After my slip on the ice, I wanted to share precautions I take when walking on ice. Although these tips may help prevent you from falling and hurting yourself, they cannot guarantee you won't slip or fall. My best advice is to just stay home until the roads, sidewalks, and parking lots are cleared; that's the safest way to keep yourself from a fall and possible injury. I also recommend keeping a pair of ice cleats in your car or in your home so that you have extra traction on your shoes if you have to go out.

If you find you have to go out on the icy roads, remember the following tips when walking on ice.

• Take small steps.
• Keep your center of gravity above your feet.
• Don’t accelerate quickly. Walking at a steady pace allows you to maintain your balance if you begin to slip or fall.
• Avoid slopes where you can lose your balance easily.
• Never slide your feet. If your foot should catch on a rock or other object, it could cause you to stumble and fall.

Whenever you're about to step out of a car or out of the house, try testing the ground to see if it's slick. Hold onto something to keep yourself secure as you check if the ground is slick.

To summarize, stay inside if at all possible. If you have to go out, put on a pair of ice cleats and keep the above tips in mind.

Make a fresh start when necessary

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Some people are so discouraged from failed goals from the past that they don’t even attempt to make resolutions in January. Developing a healthy lifestyle is a goal worth making permanent. The most important habit is not quitting, but starting again whenever necessary. If you ate too many sweets at holiday parties, start again planning healthy snacks. The present is always a great time to start a new exercise program. If you find yourself feeling sluggish in June, try making a mid-year resolution! If you need motivation and direction for healthy exercise, you can always call and make an appointment with your physical therapist. When you find yourself suffering the consequences of poor lifestyle choices, resolve to start again.