5 Ideas to Move with Pleasure This Winter

Healthy eating
People walking during winter

Winter Activities with Pleasure

Winter is finally here and now it's time to go outside and play! Here are 5 ideas to make your winter activities more positive and enjoyable.

Dressing Up

There is nothing more unpleasant than going outside in winter and coming back earlier than expected because it was too cold. As the saying goes, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes". Plan your clothing by looking at the weather before you go out!

A little tip: Wear several layers of thin clothing, rather than one thick garment. This way, sweat is less likely to accumulate and then freeze.

Bring Beverages

Another important point is to bring fluids to stay well hydrated! In winter, we tend to drink less when we move, probably because we are not as warm. However, keep in mind that in cold weather, our hydration needs (mostly water) are higher than normal.

Tips for staying hydrated in cold weather:

  1. Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking the equivalent of a bottle of water (about 500 ml) with each meal.
  2. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink (take a few sips every 15 to 20 minutes during your activity).
  3. Bring a hot drink (broths, teas, herbal teas, etc.) to hydrate yourself while warming up.

Don't Forget Snacks

Winter outings can be quite long, especially if you are hiking, skiing/running long distances, etc. Pack a snack to ensure you don't run out of energy.

A little tip: Pack something that can be eaten fairly quickly and that doesn't require you to take off your mittens for too long to keep from getting cold. For example:

Check out our recipes page for more nutritious snack ideas !

Move with Friends and Family

It's always more fun to do winter activities with friends and family! Take advantage of the outdoor time to get together with your loved ones and create beautiful memories. This way, you'll also stay more motivated to get outdoors!

Find Winter Activities You Love

Here are some ideas for winter sports you might want to try:

  • Cross-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • Downhill skiing
  • Alpine ski touring (sealskin)
  • Trail running
  • Skating
  • Walking in the forest
  • Winter biking

To stay motivated and have fun all winter long, it is essential that you choose activities that you enjoy. Give yourself the chance to discover a new sport this winter, you won't regret it!

If you want to optimize your energy and have even more fun during your winter sports activities, contact us for a first meeting with a nutritionist-dietitian.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Ottawa