Fitness, any way you can

Winter activities can include snowboarding, skiing and even sledding, and although those are the big ones we think about, there are other, less conventional ways of keeping in shape this winter. And wouldn't you believe it, they are really a lot of fun!

Instead of going to the gym and wasting your money this holiday season, grab a bunch of your friends, and head outside. All you need is mother nature to drop you some snow. Any activity you can think of regarding snow can be considered moderate to heavy physical activity. Throwing snowballs, building a fort, running and sliding and sometimes even just walking through the stuff.

Think back to when you were little, running around outside all the time. Chances are if this was your activity of choice as a kid, you were in pretty decent shape. You may have cared less back then that it was below freezing and snow found its way into your now sopping gloves and boots. But the same fun can be had today, and why not?

A little non traditional exercise can go a long way when it comes to staying active and fit. You use a lot of core muscles and get the heart rate going, you use your arms and pull your legs. Throwing a snow ball is just like throwing a base ball, dragging your legs through 3 feet of snow can be like running much longer distances, building up a snow fort by scooping snow can feel like swimming and knocking your buddies fort down can feel like lapping them over and over.

So if you love the New England outdoors as much as I do, and love throwing caution to the arctic winds and growing down, give this unconventional method a try. Just make sure to drink plenty of water, because it will be easier, with all the snow gear on and the cold temperatures, to become dehydrated.

So get out of the gym, dress warm, have fun and stay active!

A date with pizza and french fries

Snow has fallen, roads have slickened and the temperature has officially dipped uncomfortably below freezing. I guess that means the yearly ritual of winter is upon us, which not only puts a stop on some outdoor activities but also opens up a box of winter sports! And with this season approaching I offer only a fare warning.

Skiing is my main support of fun during this time, or at least it used to be. Times have changed and I seldom have time to partake in an activity I enjoy. But last year I got the opportunity to pick it up again during a trip in North Conway. My girlfriend was there and she wanted to try skiing for the first time. My suit mate, who incidentally works on the slopes in Sunapee, said "Dude, don’t try to teach her yourself, even if your a veteran skier, don’t try to teach someone that close to you."

At first what he said made perfect sense, it may be hard to teach her no matter how much I knew. So I stuck it in my brain and off we went to the northern mountains of NH. When we got to the slope we went straight to the lodge and asked to order lessons, I figured I might as well sit in on it. They informed us that they were booked and we were faced with the ultimate decision. I weighed the options and we both said, "We'll what could go wrong?"

Long story short the next thing we knew we were heading up the hill, and I'll spare some details but we got to the top and after a lesson of "pizza" and "french fries" it started right away. All of a sudden "I was rushing her" and "she wasn’t paying attention" and "I wasn’t listening." It was a rough 20 minutes trying to make it down that slope... Eventually she just decided to walk the rest of the way down while I got my grove back and skied slowly on the slope next to her.

Well, it turns out my friend was right. All though we hugged and made up, it was still a hairy time when you are that close to each other. Teaching needs to be done with some authority. And when it comes to a relationship, lets face it, the guy has none.

So heed my words both men and women young and old, and the words of my pal, the veteran skier. Under no circumstances, even if the lessons are booked for the day, should you try teaching your significant other. You’re just asking for trouble.

Climbing as liberation

I have been following around a climber, Steve Wright-Eaton for a month and a half now, taking pictures and using them and interviews to compile a multimedia presentation. Although I have not yet climbed the rope or ascended the rocky cliffs myself, there is a lot to be said about the sport.

To get some good shots I hiked to the top of the cliff on a few occasions and the view was always stunning, no matter where we were or what time of the day it was. And I only hiked up the back side of the cliff, and although it was steep, it was not as hard as it would have been if I climbed.

There is a mental barrier when it comes to starting the climb and getting past your comfort zone of the ground your feet have grown so attached to. When I talked to the KSC student I have been asking why he does what he does many times and his answers are always the same, "Its a liberating experience," and "there is nothing else like it in the world."

And seeing the view from where I took pictures and while looking over the edge with my camera I could see where the barrier breaks and the liberation begins. You are fighting the human instinct to keep both feet on flat ground. Trusting your hands and feet to work in ways they are not accustomed, and scaling a piece of rock with less than stable cracks. And I imagine that when you get through all that and look down and out and get to see what you have accomplished and repel down, I can see the reward you would get.

Wright-Eaton told me its an escape, a good way to rid your mind of stressful things outside of climbing, such as term papers and work. You just focus on whats around you the entire time you are up there. And while taking all of this in, when I get over this cold of mine, I think I'm going to start breaking some barriers... or maybe when it gets warm again.

Do you think climbing is a liberating experience? Share your stories, whether they be from southern New Hampshire or not. Do you think I should give it a try?

Breakfast before a hike

I was shooting photos for a class of mine last weekend and I didnt have time to eat breakfast. I am going to say that was one of my worst decisions ever. It was early in the morning and I did not leave myself ample time.

You see, I was photographing a climber and we had to hike through the woods of Swanzey to get to the cliff. It was snowing and pretty darn cold. The hike through the woods took about 15 minutes and they climbed for about two hours.

Because I hadnt eaten my hunger was hindering my ability to focus. I imediatly cursed myself for at least not eating a granola bar, which I have plenty of back in my room. The climber told me I could get some shots of them climbing from on top of the cliff all I had to do was walk around and hike up.

At this point my concentration was so hindered that after I hiked to the top, took the pictures and walked down, I lost the cliffs edge, and had a sinking feeling in my already empty stomach. I was lost. My brain wasnt fueled, my glucose sugar levels were low, and i spaced out just long enough to get lost. A frantic marco polo game got me out of that situation but, it was still a very scary moment.

So let my blunder be a lesson to you, if your going hiking in the woods, or anything where you need to be focused, eat your breakfast.

Anyone else have any stories like this? I think it is important to higlight this issue, focus is everything.

Its pretty easy being green

The green movement is in full swing and everyone is striving to be more energy and cost effective. Not harming the environment as much as we used to and saving some dough in the process is something people are wrapping their heads around more easily these days.

The only downside is the usual amount of money you have to pay up front is more expensive. So some people are still wary these days to spend more money on something they can get cheaper in a different way. But once that initial investment has been made, you usually start saving money on different things along the way.

Bio-diesel for example, a little more costly up front, but it saves on costs of maintenance because of its cleaning effect on the mechanical innards. There is always a bright side to spending more up front. Especially when the product your trading in for is not only better for the environment, but you as well.

Bio-diesel wont give you the headaches and exhaust induced light-headedness that the petroleum based stuff will. Although the bio-diesel also has its drawbacks, so does the regular stuff, and these drawbacks are far easier to make up for.

What do you think about the cost effectiveness of using green products verses the stuff we have been using, like petroleum based diesel?

Is it worth it in the end, or is it just as easy as buying a different style of shoe and trying them on?

Lost and Fined

A new trend has made itself known in the news recently for New Hampshire. It became more well-known when a Massachusetts eagle scout was lost for three days at Pinkham Notch, but when they found him, the situation turned from jubilant back to worry.

You see they fined the kid $25,000 for the search efforts for him. Some other states do charge for the search but, according to this USA Today article, places like Oregon cap their charge at $500. Many other states don’t even charge the rescued.

Should this change in NH? I'm going to go with yes, and here is why. People don’t want to be lost, if they could help it, they would know where they are at all times relative to everyone else. The fine makes matters worse, after a while people may not even want to be found.

If they survive in the wilderness for a few days and know they have accrued a certain total to pay back to the state, they may not even want to be found. They may not have the funds or children may be so worried about the charges brought on their parents they would rather go on hiding when a search party comes around, unless the will to survive is at the breaking point of course.

But I think this would add so much more stress on the party that has lost someone. A mother is worried sick when her son doesn’t return from a hike with his friends. She spends days worrying about his safety; often times thinking maybe he is not coming back. Then the day comes, he is found, the stress the family has been under for the past few days doesn’t stop. Now they have to pay a fine of $25,000 or so. There goes the family’s nest egg and the last shred of composure they have.

So I say reduce the fine to a payable amount, one that won’t tare a family apart when the lost party is found, or get rid of it all together. Someone shouldn’t get fined for something they can’t help; getting lost doesn’t always mean they wondered off on purpose.

Anyone else have any arguments for either side of this?

Hacking and Hiking

There is a significant chill in the air and the guy running or biking by you may have just coughed or sneezed in your general direction. The flu season is hitting a little early this year and with H1N1 on the rise and on the move, I figured now would be the time to talk about healthy practices and enjoying the weather.

I'm not going to tell you to wash your hands because that's common sense by now but one thing I bet you don't know is that a chill in the air can actually be good for a cold. I talked to Tiffany Mathews, the coordinator of wellness education at Keene State College, a year or two ago and she informed me that with the proper warm attire little bits of cool fresh air into the lungs can help combat the virus, vs what I call a warm, stuffy germ incubator a room makes.

But with this remember, rest is best. You can take brief walks outside, but I wouldn't recommend going for a jog or a hike or even a bike ride. You need to rest your body while it fights off the virus or you'll throw it into strain and become even more sick.

So I just wanted to let you know, just because your sick doesn't mean you cant take 2-5 minute trips outside to get into the fresh air. It just means don't go for a run and pass out on Appian Way.