In addition to my love of salsa, I have, of late, developed a serious love for winter walks. Weight watchers gives a bunch of tips on the web site for how to get the most out of it, and the three most useful tips I've taken are...
1. Walk at a slow or moderate pace, because otherwise you'll bust your ass on the ice. No, really. You will.
2. Aim to wear three layers, and if you're too hot you can strip items off as you go.
3. Bring water. Wearing all those layers makes you sweat, and winter air can actually dehydrate you faster than warm air. I try to bring a little bag of some sort with me for water bottle, ipod, and clothes that I may want to take off/put on as I go.
....and last but not least, my PERSONAL tip is to bring something with you that is capable of taking pictures. I don't know where you guys choose to do your winter walking, but I often find that natural beauty is heightened by all the drama of ice and snow. I've been known to hate winter, but a tiny waterfall surrounded by snow? too beautiful to hate. I'll try to post some pictures next time I go for a beautiful winter walk.
So, in conclusion, I highly recommend winter walking--it's one of the only things I've found that makes these last few weeks (read: months) of snow bearable.
Think of it this way, if you wish (and ten BAJILLION points to whomever knows where one can find part of this quote engraved around Cleveland):
"I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free."
-Wendell Berry
I know that my favorite part of running -- and the thing other than music that actually motivates me to exercise at all -- is getting outside in the air. It has to be REALLY cold and awful to make me use a treadmill. I think winter can be so beautiful and just getting out and enjoying it is one of those simple pleasures that you can't beat.
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