This is the second in a two-part series by Martin Rooney on keeping your body at peak physical condition during the winter months.
Training all year is a must for athletic success. This article will show you how to stay fit during the cold winter months, and how you can emerge from your winter hibernation a stronger, faster, leaner athlete.
Keep up the Cardio
In addition to strength work, many athletes get out of cardiovascular shape during the winter. As an athlete, you must keep moving all winter. Great tools are stationary bikes and treadmills. If you have one, you can hit 30 minutes a day, five days per week. Ride the bike during your favorite shows on television. This helps you exercise, and prevents you from having to think about it.
Use the Weather to Your Advantage
During my days as a member of the United States Bobsled Team, I got a feel for what cold really is. It could be 30-below outside, but we still trained. My advice is to dress for exercise success. Get some extra-warm gear, and use the winter as your playground. Get out and run some sprints. If it is snowing, ride a sleigh, play snow football, or shovel driveways for money. All of these are calorie-burners and will keep you sharp all winter.
Calories in and Calories Out
During the winter, many athletes eat as much as they did in the summer even though they exercise less. This is going to lead to fat gain. To make sure you keep your weight stable, follow these three tips:
(1) Weigh yourself every week. If you are not weighing in, you can't control it.
(2) Make sure you cut back on portion sizes and meals if you are exercising less.
(3) Try to drink only water. Cutting out juices and sodas will save calories.
If you follow these tips, you will be ahead of your competition when the ice thaws. Make this winter your best training season ever! Good Luck.
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-Bill Parisi, Parisi Speed School
About the Author:
Martin Rooney is a Performance Enhancement Specialist with a Master of Health Science and Bachelor of Physical Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from Furman University.
Martin is the director of the Parisi Speed School in Fair Lawn, N.J. In addition to training over 30,000 young athletes over the last 13 years, the Parisi Speed School has also been speed consultants to the New York Giants, Nike, the American College of Sports Medicine as well as many athletes from the National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, Women's National Basketball Association and numerous top Division I colleges across the country. The Parisi Speed School is the fastest way to become a better athlete.
Martin can be reached at (201) 794-1555, or you can check out the Parisi Speed School's website at www.parisischool.com.