| Staying Active During the Winter Months | | | | Dress for the cold. If you'll be outside |
| You don't have to be an Olympic athlete | | | | wear your clothes in layers. As you warm |
| to scuba dive, but the sport is | | | | up, remove the unessential layers and |
| physically demanding. Don't allow | | | | add them back as you cool down. |
| yourself to become a hefty couch potato | | | | Wear a hat. Most body heat is lost |
| during the winter off-season. | | | | through your head. Also, don't forget |
| According to recent studies, poor | | | | your gloves or mittens. |
| physical fitness is a contributing | | | | Chilly feet are discomforting. If you |
| factor in many dive accidents. Staying | | | | wear bulky socks, you may need to change |
| physically active and fit is important. | | | | your shoe size to accommodate the |
| Many divers participate in winter | | | | thickness. |
| activities such as skiing, ice hockey, | | | | Cold winter air is dry and conducive to |
| and workouts at the gym. If you have | | | | dehydration. Drink plenty of water and |
| access to an indoor pool, that's even | | | | fluids before, during, and after |
| better. You can get a good | | | | exercising. |
| cardiovascular workout and practice | | | | Know the signs of hypothermia and get |
| skills, such as mask clearing. To reach | | | | inside before you get too cold. |
| your fitness goals, you must be | | | | Positive Side Effects of Exercise: |
| consistent in your workouts. A regular | | | | Improved cardiovascular and pulmonary |
| schedule of three, thirty-minute | | | | efficiency |
| sessions a week will do more for your | | | | Increased muscle strength |
| body than infrequent intense workouts. | | | | Lower blood pressure |
| Areas of Importance to Divers: | | | | Weight loss and maintenance of optimum |
| Moderate aerobic fitness. | | | | weight |
| You should be able to do about ten | | | | More energy |
| minutes of moderate exercise without | | | | Reduced stress |
| tiring easily. | | | | Better sleep |
| Moderate torso strength. You use those | | | | Increased mental sharpness |
| muscles for donning equipment and | | | | Improved immune system |
| hauling gear. | | | | More productive |
| Average body fat. A good guide to follow | | | | Not only will exercise improve your |
| is "Body Composition - An Athlete's | | | | diving, it will improve your life. Below |
| Guide" from your About Sports Medicine | | | | are examples of popular activities. Not |
| Guide. | | | | all activities have the same degree of |
| Exercise Tips: | | | | difficulty. Choose one that suits your |
| Always warm up before exercising. Slow | | | | lifestyle and interests, and get started |
| stretching and muscle warming exercises | | | | today. |
| help prevent injuries. | | | | |