Don’t let the cold weather get your workout mojo down. We’ve got some tips and tricks to keep you active, safe, warm, and outside during the winter months.
“The heat and humidity in the summer can drag you down and tire you faster, but cold weather is invigorating,” he says. “It stimulates your senses, tunes you in to your surroundings—it makes you feel alive.” -adventure-fitness consultant Sean Burch (Women’s health Magazine)
First off, you will want to start off small. Cut your run time in half when starting out. Give your body and lungs time to adjust to the cold air. Consider wearing a scarf or mask to cover your mouth and nose to help warm the air up before you breath it in. Also consider working out in the late afternoon when there has been time for the temperature to rise.
Second, map out a path to walk or run before jumping in to working out. Find a path that is well lit (better to see icy spots), cleanly plowed, and if possible an area that provides some kind of protection from the strong winds (i.e. trees or buildings). Don’t stray to far from home that way you can get inside fairly quickly if need be.
Third, When you’re done running. Take a few minutes to cool down then go inside and complete your cool down with stretching. Take your time getting into the shower after working out. Let your body adjust to being inside.
Lastly, Stay hydrated! staying well hydrated remains important in the cold months as the air is dry. Inhaled air is moisturized and heated on the way to the lungs. Not being well hydrated will make that process more difficult and can cause irritation and burning in your air passages.
So get out there! Working out in the cold elements increases your calorie burn. The best advise to heed is to listen to your body. Dress for the elements. If your cold and sweating in your gear, go inside. You already did yourself a favor in getting up and outside. If the road looks treacherous, don’t go that way, find another route or turn around and go back the other way.
To learn more about working out in the cold you can visit: http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/workout-in-the-cold
Author: Stephanie Jones, AT
Sources:
http://www.netwellness.org/healthtopics/fitness/coldairtips.cfm
Directly quoted- http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/workout-in-the-cold