by Nancy Quinn

Created on: November 12, 2009

Walking is a great form of exercise to keep your body healthy and your heart strong. And if you enjoy walking as much as I do, you may be disappointed when you see the calendar page turn to November. But there is no need to stop your hiking adventures when the weather turns brisk. A few alterations to your attire can keep you enjoying your walks throughout the winter months too.

Layering is imperative in keeping the winter chill away. The options of lightweight winter underwear or leggings underneath your sweatpants will add a much-needed layer of warmth to keep your walks from being cut short from frozen knees. Put your tennis shoes to the back of your closet for the winter months and don a pair of sturdy hiking boots that are a size larger than your shoe size so you can wear two layers of socks. The treaded soles of the hiking boots will also ensure you don't entertain the neighbors on the icy patches of the sidewalk, as well as the added space allows you to wear two layers of socks.

To complete your winter walking ensemble, finish it off with a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare of the snow, a warm scarf, woolen cap, glove liners and warm gloves or mittens. A coat pocket or small backpack will hold your needed supplies of tissues, lip balm, cell phone, and a bottle of water.

Now that you're dressed warm, is it safe to go walking today? Getting a weather update will keep you abreast of possible wind chill factors that could quickly give you frostbite if you venture out for too long. While exercise is imperative for your health, other factors need to be taken into account in order to keep you safe while you're exercising. For instance, while walking early in the morning or in the evenings may be the only time frames you have available, the shortened daylight hours of wintertime shorten your scheduled walk times considerably. Reflective gear or a flashlight will be necessary items to keep in mind if the skies are beginning to darken by the time you are returning from your walk. Street lights and safe neighborhoods are important factors in choosing your walking adventures as well. These few health and safety tips will begin you on your way to staying warm and safe on your nature walks year-around!

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