No, no, I am not writing this article from experience and because I am trying to warn you of a mistake that I made, but now that skiing season is almost over, I have been in the mindset of wanting to improve myself as a skier before next season even starts. I know what you are thinking, it's almost April, but I figure that I at least can think about training for next season even if I don't actually start getting around to it until later on. At least step one will be done! Strength, flexibility, endurance and agility drills...

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Here in New Hampshire, winter lovers still are waiting for the temperatures to drop. It is simply too warm for snowfall and frozen water. When the snow falls and the temperature drops, opportunities for winter fitness activities open up. Some of these activities inherently allow you to burn more calories. Here is a list of winter activities from least to most demanding. (All calculated values are based on a selected weight of 135 pounds):

1. Skating - Moderate skating is a leisurely activity, and consequently it only burns about 230 calories per 45 minutes. On the other hand, if you find a...

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Well, I do not know about you, but I have been less than thrilled with the weather this season. For instance, it is November, but this past week in Boston it has been anywhere from 40 to 60 degrees outside. That is not cold, and it certainly is not the ideal temperature for my favorite form of precipitate--snow! Well, once the snow comes along, ski season will be in full blast. Teaching someone how to ski is an interesting experience. It is not too hard to learn, in opposition to first starting snowboarding, but it can be challenging. For those of you who...

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Here in New England, most of us already have seen the first snow fall of the year. If it is any testament to how volatile the weather can be lately, a few days later we saw clear blue skies and felt a comfortable 70 degrees. It would not be surprising to see more winter-like temperatures, even if many of the colorful leaves are still clinging to the trees. CNN reports that "every year 700 people die from hypothermia and frostbite in the U.S." The dangerous thing about frostbite and hypothermia is that, initially, they aren't identified easily.  Frostbite occurs...

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This post is for persistent adventurers; those who, in the winter time, continue to drag themselves onto the snow and ice, even when it can be very dangerous. As a runner myself, I know that being inside on a treadmill just isn't the same as the fresh air and changing scenery of the outside world, but running on ice or packed snow is risky, downright perilous. Slips and falls are prone to occur, not to mention the danger of the cars that fly by. Did you know that there are ways to increase your traction? The first route, the easier route,...

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