Go Outside Now!
Exercise is beneficial for both physical health and mental health. Enjoying an outdoor activity that promotes exercise adds to these benefits. Winter sports offer the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Skiing and ice-skating, joined by snowboarding in recent years, are popular winter activities for all ages.
The number of overweight adolescents in the United States has dramatically increased since the 70s, and it is common knowledge that 3 of 5 Americans are overweight. Being overweight can lead to obesity and has been linked to type 2 diabetes. Being overweight is generally caused by a lack of physical activity as well as unhealthy eating habits. When a person is prone to becoming overweight, due to familial history or otherwise, exercise and good eating habits are important to help combat an overweight condition. Keeping children physically active as they mature lays the foundation for a healthy lifestyle. It is never too late for anyone to begin an exercise program. Benefits of physical activity include controlling weight while building lean muscle and reducing fat, building healthy bones, and preventing, or delaying, the development of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.
Physical activity and exercise should be fun and families are encouraged to participate as a group. This can reduce the amount of time they spend together in sedentary activities such as watching TV. Staying active during the winter months can be a lot of fun with activities the whole family can enjoy.
Skiing and snowboarding are two winter activities that are popular with the young and old and can be enjoyed with families and friends. The actual fitness benefits of skiing and snowboarding are both aerobic and anaerobic. Skiing allows skiers to raise and maintain their heart rate while improving their aerobic fitness. Both sports increase strength and the ability to sustain short bursts of exertion while improving coordination and balance. Various muscle groups, including legs, arms and abdominals muscles, are also exercised
Being outside, on a mountain, experiencing winter’s beauty with friends and family elevates the spirit and is beneficial for good mental health. Many youth groups travel together for ski trips to enjoy the fun and fellowship of winter activities. All ski areas in North Carolina offer special rates for groups; providing an affordable way to enjoy a winter retreat in the company of friends.
While western North Carolina is home to the highest ski area in the East, Beech Mountain Resort, there are a total of seven resorts in the mountains of North Carolina providing skiing and snowboarding. All of these offer rental equipment, instruction, children’s programs, group rates and provide a great way to stay active during the winter. The North Carolina Ski Areas Association has links to each of the resorts in the state: www.GoSkiNC.com. Get out and enjoy winter this year.
Beech Mountain Resort offers several affordable ways to enjoy winter sports. There are daily specials throughout the week, and group discounts are also available. Winter sports are a great way to stay active so plan to get out and enjoy winter this year. For more information about Beech Mountain Resort, call 800-438-2093.
