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Cold weather shouldn’t stop you from being able to get a good workout and stay in shape. If you’re used to going running or doing other outdoor fitness activities when it’s warm out, you don’t have to skip them when it’s cold out. Just make sure you keep the following safety tips in mind, so you’ll stay safe and comfortable while you’re outside.
Dress in Layers
Wearing layers of clothing helps keep heat close to your body, so you’ll feel warm enough outdoors in winter. This helps prevent you from losing too much body heat, which could lead to a dangerous condition called hypothermia. Choose clothing made from materials that will help you stay dry when you’re exercising, such as nylon or polyester. Staying dry is just as important as staying warm when you work out in the cold.
Cover Your Hands, Head and Nose
Make sure that these areas are covered when you go outside to exercise this winter. Your nose, ears, and fingers are more likely to get frostbite due to exposure than the rest of your body. Wear a thick pair of gloves and a hat, and pull a scarf up so that it covers your nose when you’re outside, especially if it’s freezing or below freezing. You should also wear shoes that provide plenty of warmth for your feet to protect your toes from frostbite.
Stay Hydrated
You might not think you need to drink as much while exercising outdoors in winter compared to summer. However, making sure your body has enough fluids is still important when you’re working out in the cold. Take small sips of water while you’re exercising.
Be Visible
You have fewer hours of daylight available for exercising outdoors in winter. If you go out early in the morning or in the early evening when it’s already dark out, wear clothing in bright colors or reflective gear. This can help drivers see you better in the dark when you’re crossing the road.
Our community includes an indoor pool that you can use to stay fit when it’s too cold to go out. Contact us to learn more about our other amenities in our community and apartments in Chicago, IL.
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Exercise is good for you no matter what time of day it happens to be. The sheer act of getting your heart racing is good for both your body and mind. That being said, there may be a few reasons to try it in the morning instead of the afternoon or night. We'll give you a few benefits that may just get you out of bed when the alarm actually goes off.
Healthy Energy
Running is a great way to wake you up in the morning. Of course, you can a jolt from your morning cup of coffee — that's why you drink it. But the energy you get from the caffeine and the energy you get from running is very different. One is an all-natural version that won't cause a crash later on in the day. You'll be more likely to tackle your day with gusto, which can do wonders for both your self-esteem and your mood.
Clearer Head
Running in the morning gives you the chance to prepare for the day. If you're feeling particularly philosophical, you can even set an intention for your day as you set off on your course. When you do something for yourself first thing in the morning, you carve out a little part of your day that's all your own. Plus, you're more likely to be more active all day long.
Lower Stress
It's possible that those who exercise in the morning can reduce their blood pressure more than those who exercise at other times of the day. In one research study, those who ran during the morning reduced their blood pressure by 10 percent and by nighttime, the number increased to 25 percent. Plus you'll break up any tension that's been building up. The less stress you have at the beginning of your day, the more likely you'll be able to handle whatever comes next.
The apartments in Chicago can give you a great starting point to get out and explore the city on foot. If you're looking for a new place to lace up your sneakers, call North Harbor Tower today. We can help you find an apartment that has enough space for all your running gear.
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It can be difficult creating a fitness plan and sticking to it, especially when you're caught up in a busy urban lifestyle. These tips and tricks can help you create and stick with a fitness plan that will make real change in your life.
Make It Work With Your Schedule and Personality
Always work late on Tuesdays? Do you believe five o'clock is a time that should only exist in the evening? Don't plan on exercising then! Work to your strengths and it's easier to stick to your program.
Be Realistic
There are a thousand magazine articles out there that promise you'll lose 20 pounds in a week. Why so many? Because they don't work. Stick with a fitness plan that makes steady progress and you'll stick with it.
Create Realistic Short-Term Goals
Your long-term goal may be to get back to a size medium, but you need to focus on where you'll be next week or next month first. Make realistic short-term goals like walking ten miles this week or losing five pounds this month.
Track It
Whether it's a fitness tracker, a diary or an app on your phone, track your progress and make yourself accountable to your overall goals.
Stay Flexible
Sometimes life just gets in the way of being able to make steady progress. Don't let that get you down — work with it. If you had to skip a morning walk, try to make it up.
Give in to Small Awards
Deprivation gets you nowhere except binging on everything you've been trying to avoid, which makes it easier to give up on your plan altogether.
Get a Workout Buddy
Being accountable to someone else makes it easier to stick to your fitness plan. Find someone who has similar goals so that you can be accountable to each other.
By using these simple techniques, you'll discover that creating a plan that makes it easier to stick to your fitness goals is a much simpler process than you may have imagined. Apartments in Chicago, IL such as North Harbor Tower that include a fitness center, indoor pool or easy access to walking paths make it easy. Why not take a look at what we have to offer?
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When exploring the city outside your Chicago apartment, it pays to keep your cool. Getting overheated isn’t fun, and it’s not that great for your overall comfort either. But you don’t have to stay indoors in air conditioning all day long. Getting outdoors in any temperature is great exercise and allows you to get your vitamin D from the sun. Here are some tips for staying cool in the outdoor summer heat so you can enjoy the great outdoors in Chicago.
1. Bathe With Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is a natural cooling agent. That’s why it’s a common ingredient in skin balms, chapsticks, and even breath mints. But did you know you can cool off for hours by bathing with peppermint oil? For this tip, use peppermint essential oil. As you’re running your bath, add several drops of peppermint essential oil to the running water. You’ll notice the cooling sensation right away, and it will linger and keep you cool for several hours, even when you're outside in the hot sun.
2. Stay Hydrated
As temperatures rise, your body sweats in order to maintain a constant internal temperature. This process creates a loss of fluids, which are important to replenish. Keep a stainless steel water bottle with you on Chicago outdoor excursions. The stainless steel material will ensure your water stays moderately cool, and the portability ensures you’ll be able to stay properly hydrated all day long.
3. Wear a Sun Hat
A cute straw hat will not only liven up your ensemble, but it will also help to shield you from the sun and keep you cool in the outdoor summer heat. Choose one with a wide brim that is sure to shade your face even in broad daylight. For better results on windy days, choose a straw hat with an optional chin strap.
When summer temperatures soar, these tips will help you keep your cool. Chicago is an amazing city to explore on foot, and your comfort will be increased with these simple tips. If you’re looking for a Chicago apartment home and would like to see what we have to offer in the way of floor plans, please contact us. We’d be happy to show you what we have available!
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Life is a series of choices. We choose the apartments in Chicago we want to live in or even if we want to live in Chicago at all. Most of us choose our jobs and our hobbies and even the sports teams we root for. We can also choose to be positive or negative in our attitudes. Much has been written about the power of positive thinking, but it still has its doubters.
Who Would You Bet On?
There are two individuals with the exact same talents standing at a basketball foul line. They will each take 100 shots, and each is wearing headphones. The messages they hear in their headphones are the only difference. One gets only positive, motivation messages: “Up and in. Nothing but net. You are the greatest. Swish. You feel great and look good.” The other player hears negative messages repeatedly, such as: “Your arms are heavy. The ball is too big and heavy. You feel bad and can’t make a shot.” You have to bet $1,000 on the person you think will complete the higher percentage of shots. Whom would you bet on?
Most would choose the player receiving the positive, uplifting input. It may not be scientific, but it makes the point. Positive thoughts can have a powerful impact.
Use Positive Affirmations
Many start their day using positive affirmations. These may include messages like: “I feel good. I am healthy, wealthy and wise. Today is going to be a terrific day. I am kind, generous and compassionate.” Create positive affirmations that address where you want life to take you. Phrase them as if they have already taken place. “I am unstoppable. I am physically fit. I am good at speaking in front of a crowd.”
Use Positive Thoughts to Get Through Blockades
Positive thoughts are a good way to get through roadblocks in your day. “I got this.” “I am learning from this,” and “Life is good” may all seem simple but can be powerful in helping you move forward. Another benefit of positive thoughts is that they can attract like-minded individuals, and you can surround yourself in positive momentum.
At North Harbor Tower, we want life in our Chicago apartments to be a positive, uplifting experience. If you are aware of someone who would make a good neighbor, please feel free to send them our way.
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Winter is a time when many people stop exercising, or exercise far less. Cold temperatures and snow can be unmotivating for people who exercise outdoors. This can become a problem if you're trying to stay physically fit! These four tips will help you stay active this winter.
1. Get an Exercise Buddy
It's harder to stop exercising when you answer to a friend who exercises with you. Ask a friend who likes to exercise to go walking or running with you. Set up at least one day per week when you're supposed to exercise together, then stick to the schedule.
2. Adjust Your Diet
Winter is a time when people tend to eat a lot of dense, calorie-heavy foods. This, coupled with a reduction in the amount of exercise you're doing, can contribute to weight gain and other changes in physical fitness. Adjusting your diet to maintain your summer physique can help you stay healthy. Swap out casseroles for salads. Practice portion control. Do it safely: Talk to your nutritionist, training coach or doctor to ensure that you're eating right for your lifestyle.
3. Take Up Winter Sports
Winter sports can be a lot of fun! Skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating are all enjoyable activities that can be done outdoors in the cold.
Winter sports are also motivating. It's fun to spend time outside when you're skiing down a hill! To find out more about winter sports, talk to a friend who already participates in outdoor winter activities, or check out nearby facilities where you can get started.
4. Climb Some Stairs
You don't have to go to the gym to fit in some good exercise! Climb the stairs of your building to burn off extra calories. Do this after dinner or after waking up in the morning. You'll develop your leg muscles and stay fit while you do it.
Stop In At North Harbor Tower
At North Harbor Tower, we're enjoying a fine Chicago winter! We'd love for you to join our community as well. To view our apartments in Chicago, IL, call us today to make an appointment.
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The weather in Chicago can get pretty extreme sometimes, be that intensely hot or bitter cold. If you’ve just moved into your apartment and you’re stuck inside, you don’t have to skip your workout altogether. There are plenty of exercises you can do right in the comfort of your own home!
1. Side Planks
If you always do the standard frontal plank as part of your regular workout, change it up with a side plank instead. This exercise requires you to prop yourself up using half your body, triggering your muscles.
2. Lunges
Whether they’re side or forward lunges, in your spacious living room or bedroom, you will have the room to stretch your legs (literally) and work each one with challenging lunges. See how far you can go!
3. Squats
Squats are such a popular exercise because they tone the rear and the upper leg muscles. This move involves your bending down slowly into a squatting position, standing and repeating. If you have weights around your apartment, you can hold them in both hands for an even tougher workout.
4. Crunches and Reverse Crunches
The basic crunch is a simple yet awesome workout for abs. You lie on the floor with your hands behind your head and then lift the upper half of your body, feeling it in your abs. What about reverse crunches? With this move, you still start by lying down. Place your knees close and then raise your legs as high up as you can go. It’s recommended you lift 90 degrees, if possible.
5. Pushups
The classic pushup should still be a part of any exercise routine, as it strengthens several areas of the body. If you’re bored by regular pushups by now, try lifting a single leg and then doing a few reps. Switch to your other leg and continue.
You won’t mind spending time at home exercising if you call North Harbor Tower home. These Chicago apartments have three-bedroom floor plans available (as well as single-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments) and gorgeous views of the city.
Residents get such amenities as high-rise views, designer finishes, hardwood floors, high ceilings, included washers and dryers, sizable closets, stunning master suites, upgraded kitchens, and wraparound rooms.
Don’t wait: Call us today at 866-473-1997 to inquire about availability or to book your walkthrough.
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