Message from Preston – April 2014

Anyone who has turned on a baseball game recently and seen players wearing ski masks knows that just because the calendar says April, it really isn’t spring yet.  But that’s no reason NOT to exercise. According to a recent story in the New York Post, now is as good as anytime to try and lose those extra winter pounds, without making the excuse “I can only exercise when the weather gets warm,”  If that’s the case, the way this winter is going, you may not break a sweat until mid-July.

According to the article, here are some simple rules for cold-weather exercising.

Acclimate: When you first start exercising in frigid temperatures, curb your expectations. You probably won’t reach your personal records because your body isn’t as naturally warmed up as it was in June, and because it’s yet to acclimate. Throw in wind or snow, and your results are even more likely to be affected. It may take longer for your body to reach your typical speed, so leave more time to warm up. And tweak your workouts to be a little lighter at first, to help your body adjust.

Hydrate. Even if it’s not as obvious as in the summer, you’re still sweating during cold-weather workouts and pushing yourself, so stay hydrated. Mayo Clinic suggests drinking water before, after and during your runs, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Dress the part. The article suggests wearing layers, which help manage the combination of cold air, body heat and sweat. Remove a layer when you start to perspire; put it back on when you’re cold again. Mayo Clinic specifies what materials your layers should (and shouldn’t) be, and in which order to wear them on its website.

Know when to take it inside. There is a point when layers and acclimation only go so far – when uncomfortable weather becomes unsafe. Check the weather conditions before your run and be conscious of footing conditions, like ice.