Use Imagination to Keep Cold Weather from Standing in the Way of Staying in Shape
As the temperature drastically takes a turn for the chilly-willies, people are finding it harder and harder to keep up with their workout routines. Everybody is succumbing to the “oh it’s too cold outside to work out anyway” mode.
We have all experienced this mode. We stay in and munch on sweets and watch movies. But who ever said that it is too cold outside to get a good workout in your day?
Last time I checked, no one did.
There are plenty of different exercises that you can do inside (oh yes, we are taking the cold days out of the equation) to keep in shape during the winter. Who needs the gym when you can get your fitness on right inside your dorm room?
Get ready to work up a sweat. Because I know I did.
I decided, in order to give you guys the best at-home workouts I possibly can, to throw myself into the fire, and try multiple routines myself.
Thanks to the magical and organized world of Pinterest (you know it, it’s addicting), I found some excellent workout routines to try inside.
I tried a cardio blast that was “the fastest work out.” I had a specific amount of time, such as 30 seconds, for each exercise. By the end of my cardio blast to out of breath world, I found myself sprawled out on my floor.
Despite my inability to do a bridge for 30 seconds (looking like an awkward giraffe if I may add) the cardio blast workout definitely got my heart racing. However, it only took up 10 minutes. This is excellent if you only have 10 minutes to spare-10 sweaty spare minutes.
I pushed onward for more routines, then my fingers somehow magically came upon YouTube and then Zumba. My newfound love for Zumba became immense, and slightly unhealthy. I found myself doing Zumba for 45 minutes.
It was the sweatiest, loudest, most rhythmic, and booty-poppin’ 45 minutes that I have ever spent! It is super easy to find Zumba routines to do; just type in Zumba routines and you’ll reach the Holy Grail.
There was even a routine to Beyoncé’s Run the World (Girls). Obviously I took it upon myself to do it. I’m officially Sasha Fierce.
After my Sasha Fierce escapades, I researched some more websites that would be of great help for anyone to try. I researched on Google and found Fitness.com, which provides exercises and recipes for anyone trying to keep the holiday pounds off (even though snacking on a few cookies is totally allowed).
Fitness Magazine’s website has great tips for at-home (or dorm) workouts that are very easy to try. However, there is one method of working out that I will, I repeat, WILL master without falling on my face.
Everyone, meet Yoga.
Yoga is a great way to work out and gain a sense of balance and relaxation. I tried researching some poses and videos online which all resulted in my face or bum meeting the floor. Some people are just naturals at it. They can do camel poses and balance on one foot while their other one is across their bodies.
Power to them.
Monmouth sophomore Raquel Wareheim loves yoga because of the mind and body experience that she has every time she does it.
“It gives me that sense of fulfillment and it helps you think within yourself about life problems, and how to successfully solve them without hurting yourself or others,” Wareheim said.
Hmm; I feel more relaxed already!
Clearly the chilly winter air can’t freeze you from getting your exercise in the winter. Exercising at home can get the job done. You don’t need to wait 10 minutes to heat your car up, drive however many minutes to get to the gym, workout, and drive all the way back. Wasting time doesn’t need to be a part of your workout routine.
It is also super convenient that the showers are closer to you as well. So hit the showers, you’re smellin’ a little on the ripe side.
PHOTO COURTESY of Katlyn Jones
