November 13, 2009, Newsletter Issue #180: Snowshoeing

Tip of the Week

Come winter, many women fall victim to a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly called SAD. According to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, is caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus. The shorter hours of daylight and lack of winter sunlight is thought to be the catalyst for this somewhat disturbing condition.

If you experience depression, inactivity, and excessive eating during the winter, you might have SAD. Sometimes, a vicious cycle might result from this condition. For some women, the weight gain that results from lack of exercise is often one of the causes of the depression. Others simply miss the endorphin high they get from their outdoor running workouts.

If you have been an active runner in the warmer months, you might find it challenging to run on the icy streets during the winter. However, you need not give up running. Al you need is a pair of snowshoes! Snowshoeing does not require any advanced technical skills. In fact, on today's short, lightweight snowshoes any woman can enjoy winter hiking trails or snowshoe running by simply putting one foot in front of the other.

Snowshoes grip the snow with crampons that are located at the toe and the heel. This allows you to walk without slipping. Planting the snowshoe flat on the surface enables the crampons to grip the snow and provide stability. The best news is that snowshoeing can burn over 1,000 calories per hour, making it an excellent form of winter outdoor conditioning.

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