skip to main |
skip to sidebar
The cold weather and icy roads discourage people from exercising during the winter. The holidays and lack of desire to move or go out as often lead to winter weight gain in many people.
However, maintaining a good metabolic rate and keeping your body healthy is important all year round. A good way to stay in shape during the holidays is to exercise at home, where the harsh temperatures of the winter or the prices of gym memberships can’t serve as an excuse for winter inactivity.
If the cold keeps you snuggled up under your covers and reluctant to get out of bed, here are some tips to help you transition from laziness to exercise mode. For one, you can start the day with a hot shower to help warm your body up and become alert. Also, putting your workout clothes in the dryer for a couple of minutes before wearing them can also help keep your body warm and cozy and ready for activity.
Convenient, inexpensive at-home exercises are easy to do in every season. Simple push-ups work your shoulders, triceps, chest and abdominal muscles. Squats work your quadriceps and hamstrings and can be more effective with a set of dumbbells, which are cheap and useful, to make the most of your workout. Sit ups and crunches work your midsection, including your abs, obliques (if you twist) and back muscles. Small choices in everyday life can also help you make the best of exercise, like taking the stairs, taking the long way when walking to destinations and simply moving more whenever you have the chance. The little things add up and make a difference in the end.
The cold weather is no excuse to neglect your body’s health. Be sure to stay active all year round to keep yourself in optimal shape. Enjoy the holidays and be proactive about winter weight gain by sticking with your exercise regime.
A happy and healthy holiday season from all of us at Element Fitness!
Want to know more? Read more!:
http://exercise.about.com/od/healthinjuries/ss/winterexercise_2.htm
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/218613_top-ten-indoor-exercises-for-the-winter
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/4041/health/7_winter_exercise_tips_for_busy_people.html
http://www.emaxhealth.com/43/1194.html
Winter is upon us! Especially if you live up north, the cold will set in and some of us will be choosing to stay inside, stuff ourselves and pack on the pounds. You don’t have to let the cold keep you inside and not go for a run! Follow these handy tips for working out outside WITHOUT catching hypothermia or freezing up!
1. Warm up indoors first
This is one of the most important parts of working out in the cold. Before you throw on the sweats, warm-ups or whatever, make sure you jog in place, stretch and do some calisthenics inside. If your body is warm and stretched before you step out into the cold, you won’t cramp up and you will be less likely to become uncomfortably cold.
2. ALWAYS Stay Hydrated
It might be cold outside, but the dry air of a cold winter can be brutal. Also, you are more likely to get frostbite if you are dehydrated and out in the cold. Make sure you drink plenty of water (in sips, not gulps. You don’t want to cramp up!) before you go out to run. If possible, bring your water or a hydration pack with you.
3. Dress in Layers as well as according to the temperature.
If it’s freezing cold outside, you are going to regret running outside in shorts and a T-shirt. First and foremost, make sure you wear something made of moisture-wicking material on the first layer. It might be cold, but you are still going to sweat. Dressing in cotton might cause you to chafe and get wet. If you are getting wet out in the cold, you will lose even more heat than normal. The next layer should be something that will absorb moisture, like cotton or wool. The outermost layer should be something that will block out freezing wind chills. Remember, you can try your own variations depending on how cold it actually is, as well as how long you will be working out.
4. Cover you head and ears
This is one of the most important parts. Your body loses most of its heat through the head, especially the ears. A simple synthetic beanie should suffice for this.
5. Know your limits and don’t overdo it
Cold can be deadly, so know your limits. You might regret going out for a run in the snow with gusting wind chills of -10. Cold is stressful on your body, as is exercise, so always know when enough is enough. If you must work out in extreme weather, cover up as much of your body as you can to prevent potentially deadly frostbite.
Stay safe and have a good workout this winter!
For more info, check out these articles!
http://www.healthline.com/sw/wl-working-out-in-the-cold
http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_display.aspx?itemid=24
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/HQ01681
Posts
