On Healthy Living

Yes, yes, I know we’re still in summer–although if you’ve been living in France these past three months, you may find it hard to believe. But one might as well write about it while the idea is fresh, and while we still have enough time to figure it out, and prepare for the cold season, right?

Constant exercise is a key in keeping in good health: you can’t just go jogging for four months, then give up your physical activity just because it’s a little too cold. However, if you’re remotely like me, exercising outdoors in winter (mainly in the case of cardio-like exercise) may really be a problem: while I’m not afraid of the weather, I tend to very easily catch colds, and every time I haven’t been extra careful in that regard, I’ve always caught something and been down for the following weeks. That’s neither pleasant nor convenient for me, and I’m not expecting it’d be for you. So here are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you’re new at exercising regularly and hasn’t had to do it during the cold months yet:

• Finding indoors alternatives: If you can go to a gym, a closed swimming pool, use fitness DVDs in your living room, or get a stationary exercise machine, then by all means, do it.
• Dress appropriately: Dressing in layers is the answer. Even outdoors in winter, you’ll be sweaty in no time, but if all you can remove is one huge layer of clothing that will then leave you with close to nothing, you’ll very likely become sick. A thin layer of synthetic material close to your skin, followed by insulating material, then waterproof clothes will help. A scarf or mask to warm the air you breathe is also useful–although, if you’re wearing glasses, you may want to switch to contacts, otherwise you won’t see anything (speaking of experience much, anyone?). And don’t forget gloves and a cap.
• Water! Because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your body will need much less water than in summer. As said, you’ll sweat all the same (unless you’re not doing things properly), and you will risk dehydration, which cold air may even help to accelerate.
• Sunscreen (and potentially sunglasses too): If it’s been snowing, don’t forget that snow reverberates the light of the sun, so be careful, and don’t think it’ll be less aggressive for your skin and eyes just because it’s winter.
• End your workout with the wind in your back if possible. You’ll feel less cold.
• Be on the look-out for frostbite and other symptoms. If you notice hard, white patches on your skin, or worse, are starting to feel numb, stop running/skiing or whatever other activity you were doing, and go back to a warm place to seek assistance.
• Finally, learn to recognize your limits as well as that of the weather. If it’s really very cold and/or windy, swap to an indoors activity no matter what. There’s no use overdoing it and acting the brave guy or girl if it means straining your body too much (and fighting a real cold weather and chilly wind will strain your body with or without exercise anyway).

Yzabel wrote this on August 11th, 2007 and filed it under Diet & Exercise |