Winter is upon us ...

(The following is the 11th in a series of articles on healthy lifestyle choices being written for The Odessa File by Stephanie O'Brien (pictured at right), a 2004 graduate of Watkins Glen High School.)

By Stephanie O'Brien

WATKINS GLEN, Nov. 12 -- The dark nights are getting colder and the first snowfall is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing: winter is coming!

The change of seasons is fascinating in our beautiful Finger Lakes area, yet winter almost always tends to bring a bigger waistline. The cold winter nights entitle cuddling on the couch with our favorite comfort foods, not to mention the holidays are getting closer and closer. For some this can be intimidating; all that hard work in the summer of staying in shape and exercising in the sunshine seems to be written off. But just as seasons change, we need to change our plan of attack to stay healthy and well during the long winter months.

With the cold weather making us feel immobile, it’s easy to make excuses for why exercising seems irrational. Finding ways to keep a rigorous wellness plan seems impossible. What we don’t realize is that winter brings many opportunities for activities that the whole family can enjoy. Ice skating, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, sledding, snow tubing, and hiking with snow shoes are all awesome workouts that are enjoyable and can be of low cost. Arrange a football game in the snow with family and friends, get bundled up for a hike through the national forest, or plan a sledding party for the neighborhood. Even though there is snow on the ground, the outdoors can still be utilized for great activity.

If you’re not much of a cold-weather person, there are plenty of indoor activities you can still partake in during the winter months. Buy a mini trampoline ($25 at Walmart), put on your favorite tunes and jump for 20-30 minutes for a fun-filled cardio workout. Workout videos and DVDs are also a great option for indoor exercise. They’re inexpensive and come in all varieties; from dance workouts to yoga, there is something for everybody!

Exercise isn’t the only concern during winter months. The comfort foods that come with the holidays are also a hurdle that can be overcome. Buy a crockpot for slow-cooked hearty soups, stews and chilis filled with veggies and lean meats. Take your favorite recipes and turn them healthy with simple changes. Substitute low fat cheeses for full fat ones, white meat for dark meat, and baked foods for fried foods. Our grocery stores today are full of healthy choices that make it easy to accommodate our wants and needs. The Internet is also a great place for different recipes and healthy tips. Use these resources; it's what they’re there for!

Always remember to keep a positive attitude and an open mind; seasonal changes give us the chance to do this. When we are given adversity, we need to make the best of it and use it to our advantage.

Don’t forget to keep your mind and spirit healthy. Read a good book on those snowy nights, or start a journal to record thoughts. Wellness encompasses our whole body, and balance is the key to happiness.

Embrace this time of year! Be happy, be healthy, and live, laugh, love!

Comments are always welcome at sobrien417@gmail.com