You can't change the forecast, but you can change your shovel

If a broom is too small to get the snow removal job done at your house and a snow thrower is too big, a snow shovel may be just right -- assuming, of course, you have the right kind of shovel.

Need to know: What's comfortable for you. If the shovel you own seemed heavy the last time you cleared 6 inches from the sidewalk, head to the store for a new one. At the store, check whether the shaft is long enough for you to shovel while standing straight. Shafts with a bend in the middle portion can make things easier on your back. Be sure the handle is D-shaped, so it can be grabbed and held easily, for longer periods, and can help leverage the load and be used to apply force for pushing snow or scraping ice.

Material world: You want even wet snow to slide off the shovel, so you may want to buy a metal one with a Teflon or enamel coating. Experts recommend metal (aluminum, usually) over plastic because metal tends to last longer and can support heavier loads of snow. Metal edges can dig down to the pavement and be used to scrape frozen meltwater from sidewalks or driveways. (But don't use a shovel to chop thick ice. That's what ice choppers are for.)

Operating manual: Most shovel blades range between 14 and 18 inches wide; blade width determines how many passes you'll have to make to clean off the walk. Because most shovelers remove snow along the width of a sidewalk rather than the length, an 18-inch-wide blade will make shorter work of the job. Then again, it's easier to lift with a 14-inch blade.

Some shovels are actually pushers, which require little or no lifting. One end of the blade is curved in the same manner as a snowplow, so that snow is pushed to the side. Some pushers come on wheels; unfortunately, the wheels don't come with chains in case you get stuck.

What will it cost? Shovels run from $25 to $60, with plastic blades the least expensive and least durable. You might want to throw in a pair of work gloves, too, to reduce wear and tear on your hands and keep them warm. (You can find dozens of styles at Home Depot and Lowe's for $10 to $35.)

Quality control: Shovels require a little maintenance, especially after they've been used frequently. The bolts that attach the blade to the shaft often work themselves loose, but constant retightening can strip them. Eventually they'll need to be replaced. And the blade edge can get banged up and bent, especially if it is used as a chopper. You can hammer the blade back into usefulness, and then sand the edge sharp for ice scraping, not chopping.

Both the cold and the actual work involved in shoveling put undue stress on the heart. So it's a good idea to warm up first, by walking around and stretching the muscles in your arms and legs.

And don't rush to get the job done. Lift small loads of snow and take frequent breaks while you work, even going inside to get warm. If you feel pain, stop.

To avoid back injuries, the trick is to lift as much with your legs as with your lower back. When you throw the snow away from the walk, move your feet instead of rotating your whole torso.