Fitness Focused: Be a Lean, Green, Healthy Machine

Get your green on and move. Stay fit while being sustainable. Open your mind to new ways of helping the environment, getting in shape and having fun.

Be a Lean, Green, Healthy Machine

Embrace the Cold. Instead of avoiding the cold and the snow, embrace it! As long as you dress properly and conditions are fairly decent, you can still be active outdoors.

Cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Easy to do close to home and you can go for an hour or all day.

Dance. Dance up a storm and a sweat with your favourite fast dancing music at home or buy learning how to dance videos on tango, salsa, modern or perhaps a new one in Canada, Zumba. Or, share in the fun and join a class at your local community centre or dance club.

Keep Active. Shoveling snow and performing other outdoor chores helps you stay active. It doesn't have to be all work and no play. Build a snowman or start a snowball fight.

Like walking barefoot through sand, snow provides resistance so try it through knee-deep snow and you will get a more intense workout than just walking on a sidewalk.

Leave the car at home. Change how you think about getting to and from your grocery store, library or to work once a week. Use your legs more. Use a bus or other transportation and take in the stairs instead. Share a ride with other commuters. Step by step we can make a positive difference for the environment together.

Outdoor ice skating is one of winter’s best kept fresh air fitness activity secrets, and in Canada, there are many scenic places to do it, either in the cities or in your own communities. Make sure you check with your community about the ice conditions before venturing out onto lakes or streams.

Walk, walk, walk. Near a park, lake, or wherever you wish. Bundle up and go for it. It's good for the body and mind. If it is too cold for you, try mall walking. There are lots of indoor malls that offer this ability at off hours.

Winter hikes. There is nothing better than a peaceful hike on snowy trails while taking in the natural winter beauty of a forest after a newly fallen snow. Listen for and to the wildlife.

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