My husband recently returned from a trip to Texas with my Dad and he said something that has popped back into my head a few times since then. He said that observing the people there and their winter climate made him realize that those of us who suffer the hard, cold winters are really at a disadvantage. At first, I thought he was being whiney but the more I think about it, the more I think he is on to something.
I have never really contemplated our winters other than acknowledging that have to have snow blowers, winter coats, ice scrapers, and an electric blanket while other folks don’t even get snow at Christmas. But there is more than that.
Our bodies and skin take a toll in the snow and the frigid winds that residents of snow-free climates will never experience. Depending on your job and how much time you spend outdoors, that weather damage can be painful and lead to premature aging. That stinks!
In the midwest, we know we’re considered “fat” compared to other areas. We are raised on cheese, bread, meat, and potatoes. But we also are at a disadvantage activity-wise. Not only can we NOT just run out for a jog or bike ride because of the snow on the ground, but the air is so bitter there are days at a time we don’t even go out of our houses unless we positively have to. We COULD and we SHOULD do sit-ups and lift weights at home but it is so dark, dreary, and cold that it is like a workout just getting out of bed and fighting off the winter blues. Warm weather states you can say, “Quit whining! Get up and just do it!” And you are right. But the point is, this is another hurdle we have to face.
Our cars are cleaner in the summer than in the winter simply because it is so miserable to go back and forth carrying in the crap and vacuuming the seats. We park and make a mad dash for the door. Even at that pace, our whole heads are chattering. Our home maintenance falls in the winter, too, because it is too cold to deal with the exterior of the house, and we cannot have our windows open to paint/air out the house, etc. Then, of course, we get sicker because we are breathing in the same old germs in the house every day.
Then I would guess we call in sick more because of the cold weather colds and cases of flu.
I could go on and on, but what good would that do? I bet warm weather peeps have their own issues that they feel no one else has to deal with, too. So we’re probably even. I guess what we have to do is recognize and accept the challenge, while also finding the motivation to keep ourselves going year-round, even when the weather isn’t on our side.
What do you do to keep yourself warm, productive, and fit during the cold winter months?
