Cold weather shouldn’t derail your fitness program. Read about some common winter workout myths, and get the misconceptions you have about working out in cold weather debunked. Recommended Read:  Tips for Successful Winter Workout Sessions Exercising outside during winters can make you catch a cold. Cold weather doesn’t cause the common cold, as your body has a defense mechanism to ward off infections. In fact, in extremely cold weather, viruses can’t really survive. So, get into your winter workout gear and continue with your fitness routine . It is not necessary to use sunscreen during the winter months when exercising outdoors. Always use sunscreen when exercising outdoors. If you exercise at higher elevations, sunscreen is even more important. The body doesn’t need as much hydration after your winter workouts as in the summer months. Your body’s water requirement doesn’t decrease in winters. You should take care of your body’s hydration after your winter workout routines. During cold months, you may not feel as thirsty as you do but your body still requires adequate water for various functions. If you are dehydrated, your skin will become dry and flaky and your mucous membranes may become dry and increase your risk of infections.

Snowshoeing has gained popularity as a winter sport. It requires no skill at all, which is why your entire family can do this sport together. So if you have an adventurous mind and miss your morning run due to heavy snow, you must try out snowshoeing. Recommended Read:  Tips for Successful Winter Workout Sessions How does it work? If you are ready to explore your area, all you need is a pair of snowshoes. You can either rent them or buy them at any sports shop. You can join a group tour or even go solo! Where can you go snowshoeing? Most people go to Cross Country Ski resorts, National Parks or State Parks with hiking trails. How does it benefit your health? Helps burn fats: If your holidays were mostly about food and wine, you must begin some exercises to burn down calories . Snowshoeing burns 420 to 1000 calories per hour, depending on where you are walking. When you push through snow during winter, it adds resistance and helps to burn more calories. Substitutes a cardiovascular workout: A cardio exercise for 20 to 60 minutes every day or at least thrice a week is highly recommended by doctors.

For most people, winter is the time for warm and cozy hibernating that involves occasional shopping and family get-togethers. A good way to beat this sedentary lifestyle, which eventually leads to laziness and weight issues is to start off with some winter sports. Recommended Read:  Winter Workout Myths Busted Here are some winter sports that you must try: Sledding:  Nothing beats the fun in zooming down a slope at full speed. There are four types of sleds: Runner sleds Toboggans Disks Backcountry sleds You can also do spins, flips, and rail slides on a sled. But you must be careful while selecting a sled. Always see that the sled is sturdy and smooth and has no sharp and broken edges. Recommended Read:  Winter Workout Gear You Need Snowboarding: Snowboarding is inspired by skateboarding, surfing, and skiing. It involves going down a snow slope standing on a board attached to the rider’s feet. There are many styles of snowboarding like free riding, slopestyle, and halfpipe. Though snowboarding looks easy, it can be tricky, so it is always better to take some lessons first. Since snowboarding is popular among children, as parents you must make sure, your kid has the appropriate sports equipment like boots and bindings, helmets, goggles, gloves, knee pads etc.

Sports can help you to maintain your fitness and keep you in great shape. But sometimes you might injure yourself while playing a game. Here are some common sports injuries and their prevention methods: Recommended Read:  How to Prevent Sports Injuries Runner’s knee The name could be misleading sometimes as it is not just the runners who face it but also swimmers, cyclists, football players, basketball players, volleyball players, and those who practice aerobics. It is not a specific type of injury but is a broad name for several knee injuries. This problem occurs when the knee is subjected to excessive stress or due to weak thigh muscles or a broken cartilage. Prevention: Keep your thigh muscles strong with regular exercises and maintain a healthy weight. It is advised to warm up before your workout begins . Recommended Read:  Safe Sports For People With Bad Knees Ankle Sprain An ankle sprain occurs when you move your leg suddenly, which twists your ankle inwards. This sometimes may even result in a tendon or ligament tear. This is very common in games that involve a lot of running, jumping, and quick turning like football, basketball, volleyball, tennis etc. Prevention: Stretching before and after the exercise is vital.

Libido is another name for sex drive. A lack of sexual longing can affect your relationship. Though a lack of sex drive is more common among women, loss of libido in men is no longer rare. Here are some factors that affect the libido in both men and women: Obesity Alcoholism Anemia Diseases like diabetes Underactive thyroid gland Depression Stress Anxiety Relationship problems with partner Along with going to your general practitioner, you can also take natural libido boosting supplements like figs, avocados, banana, and chocolates. Wine is also said to be a great libido enhancer. Herbs like basil stimulate the senses and garlic is known to increase the blood flow. Apart from these, the best way to boost your libido is through certain exercises that not only help you to achieve a well-toned body, but also increases blood flow to your sexual organs, increases lubrication, and relieves stress. Here are some exercises that serve as libido boosters: Weightlifting: Strength training is a great libido booster for men as this causes the body to produce more testosterone in men. Weight lifting makes the upper body strength and builds up stamina. It is best to focus on large muscle groups and do higher weight and fewer repetitions.