Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, February 07, 2013

  Nida SOLLIDAY walks wherever and whenever she can.

"If I can do it," she says, "anyone can."

SOLLIDAY enjoys walking in the cold. There may be a little snow on the ground but that doesn't keep local health champion Nida SOLLIDAY from taking her daily walk.

"I could be so tired or have a bad day," she said, "but after I've had a walk, I feel invigorated!"

She also adds that she doesn't usually drive any where she can walk as she was spotted walking to her church right after the snow ended last Wednesday afternoon.

Nida recalled "I started walking in 1980 with my daughter, Marcy. I am now 78 years old - if I can do it anyone can."

Just because the trees are bare and its chilly doesn't mean you have to forgo your daily walks outside for the dreaded treadmill. Anything but! In fact, outdoor walking during winter may have surprising benefits:

1) Keep bones strong. Like bears, people tend to hibernate during the winter and, as a result, get too little sunlight. Sun exposure triggers vitamin D production in the skin, and bones need the "sunshine vitamin" to make the body absorb bone-strengthening calcium properly. Vitamin D is important for keeping bones strong; it's particularly important for people with arthritis, because they have an increased risk of brittle bones. Going for a winter walk and getting 15 minutes of sun on your face and hands two to three times per week will suffice for getting enough sun for vitamin D production.

2) Improve mood. Sunlight and just being outdoors can do wonders for lifting your mood. Researchers even recommend winter walking to provide an effective, easy-to-stick-with therapy for mild-to-moderate depression, especially for those who experience side effects from prescription meds.

3) Motivation. You are more likely to complete a workout on a walking route if you walk outdoors, simply because you need to return home or to your car. On a treadmill, however, you can hit 'stop' as soon as boredom strikes.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2013