Winter Exercise
Overview of the basics:
- Dressing in layers: Whether you are going for a stroll or plan to run for miles, staying warm and not overheating is an essential part of your everyday activity regimen. From ski pants to thermal under layers, the variety of clothing to keep warm is endless. How do you decide what is right for your exercise routine? If you plan to break a sweat, layering with a thermal under layer that is specifically designed to pull moisture and sweat away from the body is a great way to keep your body temperature even. If sweating isn’t in your game plan for the day, make sure to bundle up with a warm jacket and even snow pants.
- Protect your extremities: Those fingers and toes are important to everyday life, make sure you utilize gloves and warm socks or even insulated boots to protect them! Wearing a hat in the frigid cold has shown to help maintain your core temperature, so don’t forget to cover your head!
- Staying Hydrated: Some may forget the importance of hydration due to the cold. If you are out for a run the snow sure doesn’t seem like the cleanest way to rehydrate, make sure you have a water bottle close by for drinking.
- Know the signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite: When your body tissue begins to freeze, frostbite sets it. The first signs are tingling, stinging, and numbness on exposed skin such as your fingers, nose, face, and ears. Hypothermia on the other hand is when your core temperature drops, which typically happens after being in the cold too long. Even though your bundled up, hypothermia and frostbite are still possible!
- Line of communication: Some people take a jog on the side of the road while others prefer to run through the woods. Unfortunately, if you get injured or take a fall there may not always be someone to flag down for help. Keep your phone on you, and let a family member or friend know where you plan to be with an estimated time of arrival back home.
- Know when it is just too cold: Negative ten degrees? If the internal debate arises that it could be, “just too cold” know your limit! Whether you take your work out to the gym, keep it at home, or use an indoor track, there is nothing wrong with avoiding the chill of the outside air. Bust out an old exercise video or come up with a new and improved gym routine until the warmer weather resurfaces.
