With more snowfall expected soon and the frigid temperatures we’ve been seeing this winter, the thought of spending any more time outdoors than you need to is not likely to be very attractive.  Most people want nothing more than to get indoors, crank the heat up, and savor the time before they have to go brave the cold again.

While this reaction is completely understandable, CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services LLC would like to suggest a better way to take advantage of your time inside: keep up with your physical therapy exercises or get involved with some other form of indoor physical activity.  Chilly winter weather like this may make it easier to find excuses to fall behind on your exercise regimen, but we’re here to remind you how important it is to not get lazy and that there are always alternative ways to exercise no matter the weather conditions.

Here are some tips and ideas to help you utilize this time by staying productive and keeping fit during these coldest months of the year:

• —If you are currently enrolled in physical therapy and have a home-exercise program, now is a perfect time to stay on top of it; research shows patients experience better results when they are in compliance with these programs

• —Pushups, crunches and jumping jacks are some great basic exercises that can all be performed without any additional equipment; for pushups and crunches, be sure to modify the exercises according to your abilities

• —Squats can be performed with the assistance of any open wall in the house (or a chair if the wall is too difficult), while step exercises using your stairs are another way to build leg muscles

• —Light weight lifting using dumbbells (which are required for some at-home physical therapy programs) or even some household items like a can of vegetables are simple and effective for toning muscles

• —Yoga: whether you’re experienced and prefer to create your own yoga program or follow a video, yoga can easily be performed at home as well

• —Plyometrics: videos for these high-intensity, explosive exercises (jumping, bounding, hopping drills) also require only some space and a TV or computer

• —Dancing is another great cardiovascular exercise and may even brighten up your mood on a cold winter day when you feel confined to your home

Workouts should vary according to age and fitness level, but should usually average at least 30 minutes.  Don’t engage in any physical activity you’re uncertain you can handle and visit CAM at any one of our three convenient locations in Laurel, Hyattsville or Glenn Dale/Bowie, MD for additional assistance finding a program that’s best for you.

For any follow-up questions on this article or if you have any ideas of your own for future blog topics, use the “comments” section below to tell us what you think.