MEET THE CLINIC’S Charlie in
Come Out and Play
STAYING ACTIVE IN COLD WEATHER
Hi, everyone! I’m Charlie, an 8-year-old Chihuahua Pomeranian who’s originally
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. 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. 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 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!
from Texas. My mom, Rebekka, found me running around in the street one night when I was only a 2-month-old puppy. Can you believe it took Mom about 15 minutes to catch me? Even then, I liked making her chase me.
I didn’t have a collar and was covered in fleas, so I’ve lived with Mom ever since. I only weighed a pound and a half back then, but now I’m a very big dog, so I always get my way. Sometimes Mom makes the mistake of telling me what to do. She’ll call me when I don’t want to come. So, I give her a special look to let her know what she did wrong and then take off running in the other direction. That teaches her!
The worst thing Mom does is bathe me. I like kayaking with my life vest on, but the bathtub is too much. I do my best to escape and run around the house, drying myself on anything I can find. Mom says I look like a little rat when I do that, but how does she think she looks when getting out of the shower?
Sweet Potatoes We hope you’ll enjoy this recipe that Jeanne Clark submitted. It’s one of her favorites. Inspired by Be.Chewy.com
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