Lake County athletes find winter workout solutions despite chilly weather
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It may be blue skies and warm weather now, but the onslaught of snow and cold is just around the corner.
And we all know what that means — excessive food consumption in conjunction with gloomy days and indoor activity could pack on the pounds.
New studies have also found that the lack of vitamin D, obtained from sunlight and found in certain foods, has negative side effects ranging from osteoporosis to depression and weight gain.
But there are ways to stay fit inside and to up those endorphins throughout the winter.
Not surprisingly, Lake County offers a wide array of exercise classes and group exercise activities that can make the winter months fly by without excessive weight gain and without breaking your piggy bank.
Terra Spotts, a science teacher at Ronan High School and a serious athlete, runs an immensely popular exercise class at the new Ronan Middle School facilities three days a week.
“I think its beneficial in the winter time,” Spotts said. “It’s hard to get out and motivate yourself so it’s good to have a good group of people around to encourage you.”
The hour-long work out session with Spotts promises to whip anyone’s gluteus maximus into shape with running and endurance exercises, strength training and a bit of yoga.
And it’s cheap.
Six weeks for $20 is a bargain by anyone’s standards.
Julia Roberts — a Jill of many health trades — also offers an adult jazz/hip-hop and strength training class at Mission Valley Dance.
Mission Valley Dance offers a class fee schedule that is based on income with monthly fees start as low as $18 per month. Classes are scheduled on Thursdays from 6:30-8 p.m.
For those willing to brave the blustery winter weather, different organizations offer five and 10 kilometer runs throughout the fall and winter months.
Starting with a Monster Mash in Polson on Halloween, Polson boasts a festive Turkey Trot in November, a Jingle Jog in January and a March Melt Down to kick off spring.
Local races can be the perfect opportunity for a runner who needs that extra competitive kick to grab their running shoes and hit the open, icy road.
But the most important factor in motivation through the winter is finding something enjoyable and staying disciplined and goal oriented, Spotts explained.
And finding a friend similarly driven also helps, he said.
