What do you do when weather feels like a barrier? Welcome to walking as fitness. This is a

podcast of action providing a little extra motivation to help you keep that fitness promise you made to

yourself. Hi, I'm Dave. I've been walking for fitness since 2013, averaging about 21,000 steps a day. I'm walking right now, and I would love to have you join me for the next 10 minutes.

Recently, I did an episode looking at a survey that the AARP did, and they asked the question, what are the barriers that prevent you from walking?

And the number one answer was weather.

37% said weather is a barrier every now and then to getting outside and walking for fitness.

So I want to take today and kind of expand on that just a bit and look at ways to

turn what feels like a barrier into an opportunity. Of course, we all have weather preferences

when the sky condition, temperature, and elements all combine, and it feels like the perfect day to get outside and take a walk.

It's an invitation to head out the front door. And when the weather is like that, we might even

walk a little bit longer and maybe even a little bit faster. And we're disappointed when the walk

is over because the weather is that perfect.

And of course, for each one of us, those weather preferences are going to be a little bit different.

And then there are those days when the conditions come together and not only does it not feel like an

invitation, it can feel like a barrier. It can feel like a disinvitation.

No, you really don't want to go outside today.

Now, up front, I want to recognize that there is weather that can be dangerous

and that we need to take proper precautions to minimize the danger.

When we're out in sunshine, sunscreen to prevent skin cancer.

When it is hot and humid, we want to be well hydrated and always be aware of the possibility

of heat stroke.

When it is cold, we want to be well clothclothed, preventing the possibility of frostbite.

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