7 Winter Workout Tips for Cold Weather Exercise

In winter, your daily brisk walk can quickly turn from “feel the burn” to “feel the brrrrr” as temperatures plummet. But don’t let a little cold stop you from doing winter workouts! Cold weather exercises may actually help you lose weight faster.

According to AccuWeather, “Regardless of exercise, studies have shown that being outside in cold weather can transform white fat, specifically belly and thigh fat, into calorie-burning beige or brown fat.” They explain that brown fat burns calories to generate heat and keep you warm. So try to get outside this winter, even just for some fresh air and a brisk walk!

The hardest part of winter workouts is the first few minutes you spend out in the cold. It’s like jumping into an unheated pool in early summer, before the sun has done its magic. You’re cold for a little while but as you move around, you literally get warmed up.

Of course, there are ways to exercise smartly and safely that will make your winter workouts pure enjoyment. Here are seven fitness tips to follow.

Winter Weight Loss: 7 Reasons to Try Nutrisystem This Season

Read More

1. Wear layers.

a woman doing outdoor yoga workouts in winter

You may want to put on that puffy down coat to handle the plunge into the cold, but you’re going to want to leave it by the roadside in short order. Outdoor winter workouts going to generate a lot of heat, so you’ll feel much warmer than the thermometer would have you think. You’re going to sweat and when that sweat evaporates, you’re going to feel colder again, says Mayo Clinic. That’s why they recommend a series of layers that you can easily remove and add will take care of that. Start with a base layer made of polypropylene which will wick sweat away from your body. (Cotton does just the opposite.) Add a jacket that’s made of wool or fleece, then an outer waterproof layer that’s breathable, so you aren’t trapping sweat inside. Experiment to see what combo works best for you.

2. Protect your extremities.

a woman and man running in winter, surrounded by snow

Unfortunately, exercise doesn’t generate much heat for your head, ears, hands or feet. According to Harvard Health Publishing, it’s all concentrated in your core. Mayo Clinic recommends a headband to protect your ears, a hat for your head, gloves for your hands and warm socks for your feet. Think layers for gloves, too. Start with a thin sweat-wicking polypropylene glove covered by wool or fleece gloves or mitten that you can pull off and on. If it’s really cold, wear thermal socks on your feet and consider a ski mask, scarf or balaclava for your face and head.

3. Get colorful.

a woman running while it’s snowing

Consider wearing bright colored outerwear or reflective gear. It’s not only cold in the winter, it can be pretty dark. You want motorists, cyclists and winter sports enthusiasts on the same trail to be able to see you.

10 Healthy Superfoods to Beat the Winter Blues

Read More

4. Apply sunscreen.

a woman applying sunscreen during a sunny day before doing winter workouts

It’s not just to protect you from the hot rays of summer sun. The winter sun can burn you too, particularly if there’s snow on the ground which reflects the sun’s UV rays.

5. Stay hydrated.

a woman taking a break from winter workouts by drinking some water

According to Nutritional Needs In Cold And In High-Altitude Environments, military studies of soldiers in arctic climates have found that you can lose as much if not more body fluid in cold weather as in hot. For one thing, cold weather exercising can make you sweat which can lead to fluid loss. You also lose fluid when you’re breathing. Plus, you’re more likely to not replace the fluid you’re losing when you exercise in the cold because you don’t feel the same thirst sensation you do when it’s warmer. Keep a water bottle with you and drink even if you don’t feel thirsty.

6. Keep an eye on the temp.

a woman and man running in the snow on a sunny day

You can risk frostbite if the temperature drops to low or if the wind chill makes it feel that cold. “At wind chill levels below minus 18 F (minus 28 C), frostbite can occur on exposed skin in 30 minutes or less,” according to experts at Mayo Clinic. Likewise, hypothermia—an abnormally low body temperature—is also a risk. The symptoms of hypothermia include exhaustion, shivering, fumbling hands, confusion, memory loss and slurred speech, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can occur when temperatures are very low, but also if it’s warmer (above 40 F) but you’re chilled from rain, snow or sweat. Hypothermia is a medical emergency.

15 Hot and Hearty Winter Meals Perfect for Cold Weather

Read More

7. Warm up your muscles.

a person stretching outside on a cold winters day

Cold weather plus cold muscles is a recipe for injury. Static stretching should be avoided. You want to do some simple, dynamic stretches and moves that wake up your joints and get your blood flowing. Do a few arm swings and circles, high steps or lunges before you start out, says experts at Harvard Health Publishing.

Pair your winter workouts with a convenient meal delivery service! Get started with Nutrisystem today >

The post 7 Winter Workout Tips for Cold Weather Exercise appeared first on The Leaf.



source https://leaf.nutrisystem.com/winter-workouts-tips-for-cold-weather-exercise/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7 Science-Backed Ways to Make Your New Year Habits Stick

Image
A healthy lifestyle is built from healthy habits. Instead of motivating yourself each time you want to exercise, eat healthy portions, get adequate sleep or meditate, these behaviors become automatic … the same way putting on your seat belt is automatic when you get in a car, or grabbing your phone to scroll is automatic when you feel a little bored. But building those habits takes time. You may have heard that a new habit takes 21 days to form, but it can take much longer. In a 2009 study , scientists found that new habits took an average of 66 days to take hold. For some participants, habits took up to 254 days—most of a year—to stick. So give yourself time, and help yourself along with these seven research-backed ways to reinforce your new year habits. 1. Make your new year habit specific and bite-sized. In a study , researchers found that smaller goals work better. One group of children were assigned to try to do six pages of math problems in each of seven study sessions. Ano
Read more

10 Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

Image
Who doesn’t love fried chicken? “Don’t rub it in,” you’re thinking. “With all the fat and calories, I’ll never have fried chicken again.” Part of that is true. Just 3.5 ounces of fast food fried chicken has almost 400 calories and over 29 grams of fat. It’s neither slimming nor healthy. But you can have fried chicken again! The magic of the air fryer—a countertop appliance that uses hot air to mimic deep-fat frying with little or no oil—puts “fried” chicken on the menu, crispy coating and all. And it’s all guilt-free! Satisfy your fried chicken cravings with these 10 Nutrisystem-tested-and-approved healthy air fryer chicken recipes. 1. Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Bites This marinade is as simple as it is heavenly: spicy brown mustard, honey and black pepper. Simple coat bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast in half the marinade. Ten minutes later, it’s into the air fryer for eight minutes per side. Finally, toss the chicken in the rest of the marinade. At only 144 c
Read more

12 Strawberry Recipes Sweet Enough to Eat

Image
Most people are surprised to learn that strawberries aren’t actually berries at all—botanically speaking, that is. This member of the rose family is the enlarged receptacle of a flower. Regardless of its origins, the strawberry is a delicious and healthy fruit that is packed with vitamins and minerals. In fact, strawberries are actually higher in vitamin C and lower in calories than oranges. They also contain folate, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber and magnesium. This makes strawberry recipes the ultimate healthy treat. In addition to being nutritious, strawberries are also an incredibly versatile fruit that fits perfectly into Nutrisystem weight loss plans . They can be sliced, baked, pureed or even just eaten whole. Their sweet flavor makes them ideal for healthy snacks and desserts that will satisfy a sweet tooth without derailing one’s healthy lifestyle. Check out these 12 healthy and easy strawberry recipes! 1. Sweet Strawberry Cheesecake Pudding > If you love strawbe
Read more