Enjoy Winter Exercising...Outdoors

Enjoy Winter Exercising...Outdoors
By Tim Long

Here in the South we’re fortunate to have more mild winters. Imagine living up in New England. It seems like in one day, typically early November, the trees are stripped bare of leaves, the sun is suffocated by horizon to horizon overcast, and a general grayness settles in over the land. Oh, and it gets so cold that meteorologists call 20 degrees a “warming trend”. This usually only lasts for about SEVEN months. They are a hearty bunch up there, and run and cycle outside throughout the winter.

Dressing properly, a workout outside when it’s cold is invigorating, and often provides a greater sense of accomplishment. Layer your clothing, making sure to cover your ears (or head if it’s cold enough) and hands. For some, shorts are good for temperatures down into the 20’s. For others, tights or wind pants are needed if the thermometer dips below 50. Experiment with short workouts at first to find what the correct configuration is for you.

Also, find others with whom to exercise out in the cold. The company and knowing that you’re not the only one out there is truly helpful. There are many clubs for running, cycling, hiking, etc. We’ll profile some of the club options in an upcoming article.

So, get out there and enjoy the chilly temps. You’ll wish you had when it’s the middle of July and 100°.