Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter

My husband and I enjoy a sunny winter day in the Rocky Mountains.

The Centers for Disease Control website is a bountiful resource of information to improve and protect our health beyond disease management. Check out their CDC Features: a library of reliable articles on health and disease, emergency preparedness including disasters and weather emergencies, healthy lifestyles to reduce the incidence of disease, workplace safety, and life stages. There are also many fine printable check lists and files that make organizing your health and home a breeze.

Earlier this week on the LivingAfterWLS Blog we talked about winter outdoor activity to increase our exposure to sunlight and enhance our health. See this article:  No energy? Walk Toward the Light. When considering outdoor activity these tips from the CDC can be used to ensure fun and safety:

The Take These Precautions Outdoors

Shared from the CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response 
Winter storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous. Stay safe and healthy by planning ahead. Prepare your home and cars. Prepare for power outages and outdoor activity. Check on older adults.

Although winter comes as no surprise, many of us are not ready for its arrival. If you are prepared for the hazards of winter, you will be more likely to stay safe and healthy when temperatures start to fall.

Many people spend time outdoors in the winter working, traveling, or enjoying winter sports. Outdoor activities can expose you to several safety hazards, but you can take these steps to prepare for them:

Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: wear a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner layers of light, warm clothing; mittens; hats; scarves; and waterproof boots.

Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.

Learn safety precautions to follow when outdoors.

Work slowly when doing outside chores.

Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you are participating in outdoor recreation.

Carry a cell phone.

Bonus Tips: Dress for the Weather

Here are winter weather clothing tips provided by:
Ready. The Official website of the Department of Homeland Security

Dress for the Weather
If you must go outside, wear several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing rather than one layer of heavy clothing. The outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.

• Wear mittens, which are warmer than gloves.
• Wear a hat. A hat will prevent loss of body heat.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.

Jack-O-Lantern: Your New Exercise Buddy

Learn the role of exercise during the 5 Day Pouch Test:
The 5 Day Pouch Test: Express Study Guide

We know that Daily Exercise is Rule #4 of Weight Loss Surgery. But daily exercise can become monotonous. The folks at HuffPost Healthy Living have a fun workout perfect for Halloween. A full body workout with your good buddy Jack-O-Lantern. You can see the whole thing online and get moving today. Here's more from the article:

"Here are just a few ways to use your pumpkin to get a full-body workout. Costume changes not required." HuffPost Healthy Living

Halloween means candy and costumes, but it also brings an abundance of pumpkins to seemingly every grocery store and front stoop. Sure, you can cook them and carve them, but why not use them to switch up your workout, too?

As long as you pick a pumpkin that's not too heavy (and not too light!), that gourd can give you just as good of a workout as any old medicine ball, kettlebell or set of dumbbells.

Check out the article here, on HuffPost Healthy Living, complete with cute and short Vine videos of each exercise. 

• Exercises: 

• Pumpkin Lunge with a Twist
  Standing Pumpkin Chop
  Single-Leg Pumpkin Deadlift
  Sumo Squat with Overhead Pumpkin Press
  The Offset Pumpkin Pushup
  The Kettlepumpkin Swing
  V-Sit Pumpkin Twist

What are you waiting for?  Have a spooktacular workout!