What's the Best Women's Winter Workout?

'Tis the Season to be Jolly! Or is it? Holiday parties are packing
on the pounds and you know you have to get off your alarmingly
broadening buns and do something about it before it becomes
unmanageable. But the weather outside is frightful and driving is out
of the question. What can you do?Snowshoe!Snowshoeing is a fabulous
way to burn off those Christmas calories and get your bikini body back
in shape for spring. It can be done anywhere there's at least a few
inches of snow on some fields or trails, and there are no expensive
lift tickets or maximum equipment load needed. There's also no
expensive lessons or instruction needed, nor long gas guzzling drives
in bad weather to some distant place needed. Snowshoes are reasonable
in cost, are easy to carry on a bus or subway, will easily fit in the
trunk of even the smallest sports car, are easy to store off-season,
and will give you many years of benefit for a relatively small cost of
entry.Public parks, golf courses, hiking trails and athletic fields
are all great places to take your snowshoes out for a trek. Woods are
great, and you don't have to worry about getting lost since you'll
have a trail to follow back! And best of all, snowshoeing is a very
green activity once you're outfitted-- no carbon monoxide is created,
no gas is burned, no harm is done to the terrain.The outdoor winter
clothing you currently have will most likely be more than adequate for
your snowshoeing needs, though some people do prefer to wear gaiters
over their pants and boot tops to keep lower legs and feet dry. Wear
layers and bring a backpack to carry layers you might choose to
jettison if you get overheated. You might also choose to bring along
some of those chemical heat packs if the weather is very cold. The
only other consideration is whether you need poles or not. Most
beginners will find them helpful for balance. If you already have ski
poles you can repurpose them for your snowshoeing adventures.What to
Expect from your Winter WorkoutIf you can walk, you can snowshoe. You
will burn quite a few more calories than walking since you'll have a
few extra pounds on your feet, so do be aware of that and set modest
distance goals for your first couple times out. Exercising in the cold
also burns more calories since your body needs them to stay warm. Your
stride will be a bit wider with snowshoes on, so you may feel it in
your quadriceps, your gluteals, and your hamstrings if you overdo.
Snowshoeing will give you a pretty intense cardiac workout as
well.There are only two things to remember with showshoes. You need to
take slightly shorter and wider steps, and you can't walk backwards.If
you can't bring a partner, bring a cellphone, but make sure to pack it
in an inner pocket near your body to save battery life, since
batteries can die quickly in the cold.How to Buy SnowshoesLook for a
well made entry level recreational snowshoe or snowshoe package that
also includes poles and gaiters. Sticking with well known brands is a
good thing, but be aware that most general department stores will not
stock snowshoes that have been specifically designed for women.
Snowshoes for women are usually lighter in weight and tapered to the
heel to allow for a narrower stride and to keep the snowshoes from
bumping together. Choose snowshoes that have bindings that are easy to
get into and out of, and that are designed for the type of footwear
you plan to use. Some of the hiking, racing or extreme terrain
snowshoes may not be suitable for a beginner, nor for ordinary winter
boots.