need cold weather workout tips

H

hippahips

Cathlete
Okay, so the cold season is creeping in. I am an absolute wimp when it comes to falling temps. My system is very tropical, which is why I chose to live here in Texas. Still, the winters can be harsh here in the DFW area. We're enjoying summery temps this week -- mid-80's 'til part of next week, so I'm covered for a while.:7 For you folks who live north of me and have longer, fiercer winters, how do you get the motivation to keep working out when it's freezing outside? I woke up very early this morning to work out but found the 58-degree morning too chilly, so I ended up under the covers again. Btw, I have Reynaud's syndrome (is that spelled right?) and blood doesn't circulate much in my extremities, which is why I wear socks to bed all year round, and gloves in 60-degree weather. I also get plenty sick, and so easily, when it's cold. Just one of those things that make me "special".}( Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Pinky
 
I'm in Minnesota so I sure do know about cold winters. If I am doing cardio, I make sure to do the Imax I warm-up, the Rhythmic Step warm-up, or the Circuit Max warm-up. These are loooong warm-ups so by the time they are done, I don't really notice the cold. I even do the Imax warmup if I'm just doing a CTX cardio in the winter. And when I do weight work only, I always make sure to do just a little cardio beforehand, whether it be the kickbox segment from 10-10-10 (5 min) or the 1st step combo of Cardio and Weights (5 min). That way, my body is warmer when I start lifting. I usually get so hot and sweaty during a workout, that I don't mind the cooler temperatures. Also, sometimes I will wear sweats instead of shorts and a sports bra. This helps too.
 
If you are working out indoors, set your thermostat before you go to bed so that it will be nice and toasty when you wake up in the morning.
Also, if you run outdoors, invest in some good layering pieces that wick moisture away from your skin. I run year-round outside and find that I'm plenty warm with the right clothes, hats and gloves. I live in NC so the winters are not incredibly harsh, but I run at 5:00am and the temps can be below 20 some mornings.
 
I'm a Minnesota girl as well, and I second all of Jillybeans's emotions. Tricks that also work for me are:

#1: Make sure your workout space is thoroughly warm before you begin; I use a space heater in addition to our home's heating system to make sure the temperature is at least 70 degrees; also make sure YOU are warm before you begin (stay dressed in sweats before you begin);

#2: Use cardio routines that employ a fair amount of plyo work (plyo jacks, power scissors, vertical jumps in place; either of the I-max workouts are great, as are Circuit Max {try this one with barbell lunges and squats ONLY!}, MIC, Boot Camp {cardio/lower-body only premix is great!). The plyo work will really recruit a great deal of thigh muscle, and the more large-muscle work you are doing the toastier you'll be;

#3: Use the winter season to really bang on lower body strength training with weighted squats, lunges, etc., again using the thigh-muscle-recruitment principle.

A-Jock
 
I now live in NC where it never gets cold enough to bother me. As long as my ears and hands are covered, I just wear fleece pants or running tights, a couple of layers, and just run or bike. As soon as I've gone 100 ft, presto, I'm warm.

As far as indoors. I dress the same winter or summer. In the summer I find myself wilting and hanging near the AC vent, or having to use a fan. In the winter I'm chilly when I start but feel perfect during the workout itself. I quickly change out of my wet clothes before I get chilled. In summer I can take my time.

I used to live in Ann Arbor and also in Tahoe. There I used to run in the winter also, or snowshoe in Tahoe. It was 0 degrees and the sidewalks were icy. I just wore more layers, a hat and earmuffs, gloves inside mittens. I did a fair amount of cross-country skiing too, which I love love love and never get to do here.

I think it's just a question of gritting your teeth and getting moving. It's just the early part that's cold. Your body will warm you up if you're dressed properly.

Somebody tell me how to deal with the humid buggy heat here and I'll be all set!
 
I agree with all of the above tips - especially Mogambo's observation that it's only the early part of a workout that's hard! I live in Connecticut and find it really hard to exercise in the am when it's dark outside! So, I started exercising in the afternoon/evening as soon a I get home from work - that's the warmest time for my body and I don't need so much warming up. I always wear layers and peel them off as my body gets hot!

Actually the harder part for me in the winter is not getting a chill after I work out. I have found that really cooling down and stretching well followed by a warm shower helps a lot!!!
 
Another Minnesota gal here. I run outdoors until the snow flies or when the roads get slippery. As others have noted, dressing in layers is essential with wick away fabrics against the skin and polar tech layered over. A lightweight jacket that breaks the wind along with a warm hat and gloves also helps. For indoor, I agree with a longer warmup and layer clothes that can be easily removed as your body warms. Even if it is below zero outside, I still end up running my fan when I get really warmed up. I think the hardest part at this time of year is the darkness. I get up and come home when its dark and that can sometimes sap my motivation. Good luck and stay warm:)

JJ
 
I live about 400 km north of Toronto in Canada. It gets to be minus 40 celcius in the winter esp. after January. I used to cross country ski in minus 20 if the wind chill wasn't bad (I fell and broke my sacrum skiing). I have to have it freezing when I workout. Once I do the warm up I'm like an oven and need fans and windows open to really push myself. I just did rythmic step and am sweating up a storm. It's about 3 degrees celcius (I can't remember fahrenheit)
Sharon
 
Another Minnesotan here ------ 58 degrees!!! Oh my gosh, what we wouldn't give for that right now. We will top out today at around 45 already, ugh!!!! :)

Well, sometimes I stick my head out the door and take a deep breath of that fresh, crisp air and that wakes me right up. Or, make sure you workout when it's sunny out. Now that the time is changed, it gets dark here at 5:00pm so I need to either get right into it after work so I don't get sluggish and 'think' it's bedtime when it's barely suppertime. :)

Cheers, Marcia. Good luck.
 
Hey Mogambo just wanted to say HI! How is your daughter liking college? Has she adjusted OK ?


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Judy
 
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