STAYING ACTIVE IN COLD WEATHER Come Out and Play Winter is almost here, and as the weather gets colder, many people use it as an excuse to stay inside and on the couch. But if you don’t want to wonder what happened to your fitness goals when spring comes around, now is the time to start preparing. Here’s what you need to know to comfortably enjoy outdoor exercise in low temperatures.
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A few months ago, we embarked on a family adventure to a little goat farm about an hour away from our house. Supposedly, we made the trip for Bennett, but I think Marah had almost as much fun as he did petting the goats and playing with the farm’s Flemish giant rabbits. On our way home, we stopped for a smoothie in Durham, North Carolina — and a sign caught my eye.
First, there’s good news: Your chance of frostbite in 5 degree F weather is less than 5%. So, outdoor exercise is perfectly safe most days of the year. Just stay inside when
there’s a particularly nasty wind chill and don’t exercise on icy surfaces. But while you probably won’t be hurt by outdoor winter exercise, there’s no denying it can be unpleasant if you aren’t prepared.
“Pedego Electric Bikes,” it read. Rows of bikes filled the sidewalk outside of the shop and glinted in the sun. I couldn’t resist; I had to walk over and check them out! Right away, a staff member showed up to greet me. His name was Aaron, and over the next hour or so, he and the rest of the Pedego team blew me away with their customer service. Not only did Aaron answer every single question I had about electric bikes, but he also went above and beyond to help us entertain Bennett during the sales process.
One school of thought suggests there’s no bad weather, only poorly chosen clothing. So, if you want to exercise outdoors in the winter, you must set yourself up
for success with the proper gear. Dress in layers and put them on in the correct order. Opt for a moisture-wicking material as your bottom layer, then add
a warm insulating layer, followed by a wind and water-resistant jacket on top. Remove items
Bennett was toddling all over the shop, touching every bike he could reach and digging into the Burt’s Bees samples near the register. Aaron gave him a football and a keychain to play with while he showed me Pedego’s mountain, cruiser- style, and road bikes. I picked out The Avenue for myself, a City Commuter for Marah, and a SUNLITE Child Carrier for Bennett — who suddenly needed a diaper change. The Pedego team didn’t bat an eye. They whipped out a mat and let us change him right there in the back of the shop.
as you get warmer so you don’t trap sweat. Also, remember the wool socks, gloves, and hat.
Another way to keep yourself comfortable during an outdoor workout is to warm up longer before beginning. Exercise in cold weather makes strains and sprains more likely, and a warmup will keep you safer. Plus, the additional movement before heading outdoors will help the temperature change feel less jarring. You’ll want to protect your skin from the harsh air. One of the best ways to do that is by staying hydrated. Though it sounds obvious, many people feel less thirsty when exercising in the cold and don’t drink enough water. Also, moisturize regularly and protect your nostrils and lips from the wind with petroleum jelly or Carmex. Finally, don’t forget the sunscreen — if skiers can get a sunburn, so can you!
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