Exercise during cold weather, or staying fit without freezing!

Difficult is to stay fit and exercise during cold weather. Usually is this season another motive to stay indoors, but let's think different, like... What are the advantages of working out when the cold season comes?

Think about it! You may enjoy a different landscape, it would help to cure that "nostalgic" feeling of being indoors for a while, rising your energy at the same time that you get to boost your immune system preventing some common diseases of this kind of climate conditions, and why not! You could try something different than the usual activities.

On this read you'll find tips for exercising during the cold season.

TIP #1. Decide indoors or outdoors depending on the weather forecast or simply trying out if it's cold out there!

Sounds obvious. If the day is too windy, it is freezing out there or it's raining or even snowing, you might get to decide for the best option.

TIP #2. Dress for the ocasion!

We all choose the appropiate clothes depending on the circumstances. For cold conditions, best recommendations are: Use layers of clothes that you can take off if needed. Remember that exercise increases your body temperature. Be aware of not using too many clothes but use smart fabrics:

First layer: a fabric of some good absorbing material that gives you the sensation of staying dry. Fibers like polyester, silk, wool, polypropelene but not cotton are the best.

Second layer: Any thicker clothe that helps to insulate your body from the cold. Synthetic fibers are better.

Of course check for hands, feet, ears and head, you must use appropiate cover for this parts in special, as they will produce 40-50% of the heat loss.

Third layer: Be prepared with any windproof material.

TIP #3. Just as the scouts motto says: Be prepared!

Put some sunscreen on that can help you against UVA and UVB damaging rays. Use sun glassed or goggles if needed. Bring a light backpack so that you can put the clothes you take off as well as it serves as a wind barrier.

Arm yourself with enough liquids because you will need to stay hydrated just as it happens when you exercise during the warm season. Drink water before you start your activity, during it and afterwards.

A good recommendation before you go outside is to start your workout inside by warming up a bit, since it is easier to resist cold when you're already in a higher temperature mood.

TIP #4. Respect your body and be aware of frosbite and hypothermia.

Frosbite could be an issue. It means a condition on which the skin or some other tissues freeze.

It may be mild or severe. Know the signs: Learn how to identify from the color of the skin: white-creamy, red, green, purple. Check for cheeks, nose, ears, hands and feet status. Never rub the affected zone, better try to warm yourself (but not on a direct heat source) and look for help. Also be aware of numbness, loss of feeling and stinging sensation.

Hypothermia is another possible condition too. Check for intense shivering, if your speech becomes slur, you lose coordination of feel highly fatigued. Warm up as soon as possible, drink warm beverages and seek for help!

TIP #5. Know when to head for a warmer place.

Before you start freezing and stop enjoying your exercise journey, look for a nice warm place and heat up!

Life is about choices, we can enjoy nature and activities outdoors but we can also look forward for the company of others with a nice warm drink indoors.

Besides this article: Exercise during cold weather, look for more exercise great tips here.

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