Many of us love the falling snow and dropping temperatures associated with the winter months. Unfortunately, wintertime can also cause our motivation to exercise to fall and lead to an overall drop in our fitness levels.
Though this time of year may present a multitude of obstacles to maintaining your weekly workout routine, experts have loads of great tips that will help you brave the elements and continue on your path to health.
First and foremost, experts implore us to stay warm! During the cold winter months, your body needs to keep warm if it wants to exercise effectively. Dressing appropriately and doing a proper warm-up is of the upmost importance. “Convection, conduction, evaporation, and radiation all contribute to stealing heat away from the body as it tries to maintain a warm and cozy 98.6 degrees,” says fitness expert Ray Ignosh. Ignosh summarizes that easing into cold-weather activities this time of year means paying attention to layering, consuming plenty of calories and fluids and taking adequate time to warm up.
Hydration is important this time of year as well. Exercisers are at a high dehydration risk during colder months, says Dr. Fabio Comana, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise. Drinking adequate water “allows our thermoregulatory systems to operate optimally, keeping us warm.”
Dr. Ryan Kohler, another renowned fitness expert, recommends that exercisers workout with other exercisers. Exercising can seem more manageable if you “go on group runs or rides, or do a workout with friends in their garage or basement and follow it up with a group meal.”
Experts also tell fitness aficionados to try and incorporate the winter weather into a fitness routine. If geography and time allows, exercisers might try skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing or simply hiking in the snow to take advantage of the unique weather that this time of year brings.
Being creative and trying something new can also help you maintain your workout motivation. “You have a lot to gain by mixing it up in the winter,” says Dr. Kohler. “You will work different muscle groups, switch gears, and learn a new activity. Anything that challenges the body to move in a way that it isn’t accustomed to moving is good for your overall fitness.”
If you can’t find effective fitness plan ideas this season, Fitness Magazine has a great resource here. If you listen to these experts, you don’t have to let your fitness level fall with the mercury during these winter months.