Get Your Body Moving This Winter (Plus Reasons to try Making Your Own Bread!)

Winter is the time of year when you are going to spend most of your time indoors. The weather can be so harsh and cold that you may feel unmotivated to move from your house. The last thing you may want to do is put on athletic gear and head to the gym.

However, there are plenty of amazing outdoor activities that you can do that will get your body moving in a fun way! Or perhaps if the idea of bundling up to be in the cold and sweat doesn’t appeal to you, there are dozens of indoor activities you can do to keep your body moving this winter season.

Fun Winter Activities

Rolling out of bed to exercise may be the last thing on your mind when you see snow outside and the temperature is below zero. However, you may find it is just the thing that your body needs. Even with the chilly climate, fitting in an exercise routine is possible. There are plenty of outdoor and indoor activities that you can enjoy in the winter.

Check out some suggestions below to try this winter season:

Skiing: Taking a skiing trip can be a great winter getaway while being an excellent source of exercise.  Pick a mountain, rent some gear, and take a lesson. This popular wintertime activity is an amazing calorie burner that the entire family can enjoy.

Build a Snowman: Rolling 3 large snowballs together to create one big snowman is a great way to get in some exercise! Get the entire family involved and enjoy some together time! And don’t forget the carrot for the nose, raisins for the eyes and red pepper for the mouth!

Sledding: Break out your sled and search for the biggest hill on the block! Trekking all the way up will provide a great workout on an incline. Enjoy the way down and repeat!

Ice Skating: Ice skating is a fun activity for all ages! Take full advantage of this fun activity and avoid injury by choosing ice skates that feel comfortable on your feet.

Exercise Videos: Exercise videos are an excellent and inexpensive way to stay on track this winter season. With different videos, you can easily change up your routine to keep it exciting and you don’t even have to leave the house!

Strength Training: Lifting weights is a perfect way to strengthen and tone. Purchase a set of 5lb and 10lb dumbbells and try different strength training exercises such as bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and lateral raises! Try doing 3 sets of 10 repetitions of each exercise.

Yoga/Pilates: Build your mind, body, and soul with Yoga and Pilates this winter. Start off by purchasing a beginner’s video and mat and practice in your home. Or if you are more experienced take your mat to a local class. Not only are Yoga and Pilates great stress relievers but they can also increase flexibility and strength!

After your workout is complete, you may be searching for nourishment. An easy go-to for many is a piece of toast with something delicious spread on top. But you can obtain more nutrients and get an even better-tasting bread when you make it at home!

Homemade Bread

Store-bought bread has a lot of additives to keep bread fresh longer, make it crispier, and to speed up the fermentation process. Making homemade bread allows you to make fresh bread without additives. You can make a large amount and freeze the rest until you are ready to eat it!

Alter the ingredients to your preference:

For added fiber: Substitute whole-wheat flour for white flour.  If you have a favorite bread recipe, substitute half of the white flour for whole grain without making any other modifications. Add ground flax seed to the dough. Flax seed is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids; add a few tablespoons for each loaf of bread and kneed it into the dough. Sprinkle rolled oats on top of the dough for a fiber-rich crust.  Rolled oats are easy to find in your grocery store and are high in soluble fiber.

For lower sodium: Americans are eating more than the recommended amount of 2,300mg of sodium each day.  Sodium is found in almost all foods and is especially high in convenience foods such as canned and frozen products.  By making bread at home, you can lower the amount of salt put into the loaf of bread essentially lowering the amount of sodium per slice.

For added phytonutrients: For an added phytonutrient boost, try making bread with different fruits and vegetables. Making bread with carrots, zucchini or bananas will not just make them more colorful but will also add phytonutrients. Enhancing your bread with your favorite fruits and veggies will make them even more nutritious and delicious!

Remember it is important to remain active even in the winter months and keep your body properly nourished. Always consult a doctor before starting a new exercise regimen.

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