FITNESS FRIDAY 12/8/17 - "Winter Walking & Making it Work!"
Winter Walking: Making It Work
Cold weather doesn't mean you have to give up fitness walking. Outside or in, here are tips to help you make it through the winter.
It's the winter walker's dilemma: to venture outside into the cold for a workout, or stay toasty warm on an indoor gym track or home treadmill.
Thankfully, just because it's cold outside doesn't mean your walking routine has to undergo a temporary freeze.
Indoors or out?
Both treadmills and outdoor walking have their pros and cons. Walking on a treadmill is easier on the body than walking on pavement.. and the weather can never be a deterrent. However, the routine can get monotonous, and you can get slightly shortchanged on conditioning, since the belt does some of the work for you. Setting the incline to 1.0 will provide a more challenging workout.
Venturing outside for your walks provides a change of scenery and terrain, which can help stave off boredom. And because no equipment is needed, the financial investment is minimal. And you can work in a walk just about anytime, anywhere. Of course, winter weather can make walking unpleasant, and there are always safety hazards — uneven sidewalks, vehicular traffic, and secluded spots — to avoid.
Winter walking: All about the layers
Just because it's winter doesn't mean you can't hit the streets or sidewalks for your workout. You just need to be prepared for the weather. When gearing up for a walk outside while the weather is still cold, think in layers so that you can peel off clothing as you warm up or add it if you get chilly. Here are some helpful hints for what to wear, from the inside out:
LAYER 1
Make sure your underwear waistband isn't digging into your hips. You've got to be comfortable. But keep in mind that you'll be moving around a lot, so treat layer number one like sportswear and opt for something snug.
LAYER 2
To keep skin dry, your second layer should be a synthetic material, such as CoolMax or polypropylene, which wicks sweat away from the body. The garments should also be seamless — clothing with thick inner seams may irritate the skin.
LAYER 3
If needed, wear fleece for insulation, and top it off with a waterproof jacket. When it's below freezing, wear a scarf over your mouth to warm the air you're breathing.
HOW MANY OF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN THE WINTER SEASON (Or about to enter it)? What are YOUR plans for Winter Workouts? Are you currently a "Walker" (or runner)? If so , what are your plans to safely get in that winter workout?
@PoliteOcean I continue my daily walks in winter, just more prudence and more slow, as long as it's dry, i'm fine. it feel colder at -2 c but wet than -20 c dry. i'm trained in winter activities and winter camping. so it doesnt scare me. I dress in function of the weather and make sure to stay warm because pain getting worse when it's too cold. And I continue doing my stretching inside of course. I can spend extra calories by buiding snowmen or quinzees, ski or snowboard, but i have to stay in easy paths because of my condition.
@PoliteOcean I'm a walker. since i live in a wooded area there is plenty of peace around and the layers help while walking
@orchard9786
Thats awesome Orchard. Glad that the weather doesn't affect you getting out there in the winter months.....
@PoliteOcean Hi politeocean. I am glad as well. other winters i've not gone out and it has been terribly depressing. so I am making a change this year! :)
@orchard9786
That is awesome for you Orchard!... Keep up the great work that you are doing for yourself!... Sometimes small changes can be good for us! Sounds like you are doing a great job :)
I live in Florida and it does not get cold here so I will be all set whenever I go outside. <3 This was a great post @PoliteOcean
@AlluraRae
Thank you Allura! Glad you enjoyed!
I LOVVEEEE Florida, you are very lucky to live there...Its one of my favorite places to visit for vacation and hold lots of family memories..... The weather is the "icing on the cake" there. Love it.
Sports clothes I like very much, I often buy it. And I wear sports clothes almost every day, it seems to me very comfortable. Quite often I had to order sportswear in the shop "Wolf in my clothes." Just here is very favorable prices. Here is a link https://www.walk-inmycloset.com/collections/timberland to the sections in which I buy clothes for myself, look and maybe you will like some of this too.