Munching on dry fruit, enjoying mouth-watering-and fattening-gajar ka halwa, siri payas and sajjis and turning into a couch potato is how most people prefer to spend the winter months. This is why i do not find it surprising when the volume of people complaining about weight-gain, cardiac problems, respiratory distress, fluctuating sugar and blood pressure, not to mention stiff joints, increases exponentially once the mercury starts to drop.
Ahmed, a 30-year old banker, always complains about piling on the pounds during winter: ”I’m a hopeless foodie and a sweet tooth runs in my family. The problem is, so does diabetes and obesity.”
My advice is simple; instead of giving up entirely on exercise in the winter months, modify your workouts. You have fewer hours of daylight, so try and work out in the morning before you become caught up in your daily routine.
You should remember that you need to adjust your regimen according to the weather; otherwise you will expose yourself to unnecessary health risks. Therefore, whether you opt for aerobics, yoga or zumba, warming up is crucial in the cold weather and it is equally important to stay hydrated during and after your workout; lack of water causes severe back, leg and neck cramps.
Another often ignored winter workout essential is the right gear to keep yourself protected from the cold. Swap tank tops and sweatpants for fleece thermal trousers and hoodies; this is particularly important to ensure you are not exposed to chilly winds while your body is still radiating heat from the exercise.
If you cannot hit the gym regularly, suffer from respiratory or bone diseases or stubbornly refuse to step out to exercise, consider in-house winter workouts. An aerobic steeper, an elliptical machine or a few weights are a good investment; if you are on a budget, simply download free workout videos or grab a DVD or two on your next shopping trip.
By Dr Saima Babar. The writer is Director, Health Awareness Society.