Mental Health

Tips to Exercise your Way Through Winters

By Drishya Nair | Update Date: Dec 30, 2012 04:49 AM EST

The most wonderful thing on a winter morning is the warm embrace of a blanket and a lazy day spent mostly sleeping. But don't let the comfort of your cozy bed keep you from continuing your daily health exercise routine. Stay active and keep that body moving, no matter what the temperature outside.

"It's hard to stay motivated in the winter. When temperatures plummet, the last thing we want to do is leave the comfort and warmth of our homes. But winter is not a good excuse to give up our fitness routines," Kara Smith, personal trainer and group fitness coordinator at the Loyola Center for Fitness, was quoted as saying by NewsWise.

Even during the winters, it is important to keep burning the extra calories and to stay active. This can be achieved by modifying your exercise regime to suit the prevailing temperature conditions.

"Your outdoor running and walking routines don't have to go away when it's cold, just modify it a little. Winter can be a great time for outdoor activity if you're prepared," says Valerie Walkowiak, medical fitness-integration coordinator at the Loyola Center for Fitness, according to the report.

According to Walkowiak, a few tips that help while exercising in the cold include:

  •  Wearing proper outdoor gear such as shoes and socks to avoid absorption of moisture during exercising and keep the skin dry.
  •  Wearing scarves and gloves so as to keep the extremities safe from the possibility of frostbite due to cold.
  •  Wear clothing in layers so that during exercising, as you start feeling warm, you can easily start removing one layer after another. Also pay attention to the way in which you layer your clothes. While the first layer should be of synthetic so that it keeps the sweat off your skin, the second layer could be of wool or fleece for better insulation, whereas the third layer should be preferably waterproof and a breathable material.
  •  Keep yourself hydrated as in summers; even in winters the body starts getting dehydrated, which can give rise to muscle fatigue and weakness.

To give yourself that extra push to start exercising during winters, try incentives such as getting an exercise partner or purchasing a fitness video or getting a new gym membership.

Unlike a few animals who have the option of going into hibernation during the winters, the human body is made to be active all year long and thus it is important to enjoy each and every season with physical activity and achieve a healthy life.

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