temperature question?

[FoundInGrace]

Hi, maybe this is a weird question but just wondering about exercising when its really cold (especially in the mornings!). Hope I'm not just making excuses but it makes it a real effort to exercise - just changing into exercise gear and driving through rain with the heater on in the car to the gym brrrrr. Any thoughts on combatting that.
I feel that in the long run once I get fitter it won't be so much of an issue? I've always felt the cold a lot so it may just be me and fitness will help, not sure. Any ideas?

 

[Triscuit]

You should try stretching if you don't do that. That will really warm up your muscles and make you loose. Second, you should start off easy. If it's an aerobic activity, do a few laps or something slow, to warm up your muscles and get yourself ready to start working. These things should help if you don't do them already.

 

[fallen^sparrow]

What do you consider "really cold" to be Grace and what exercise? I've done my fair share of cold weather training in SK, Canada... primarily in X-country skiing, running, skating, and biking (-50C rides are fun, *shivers*) etc. Honestly, being cold is mainly a mental barrier and to a lesser extent physical. If you think your cold... you will be. Focus instead on your workout, not the temperature. The best way I've found is to train with other people and have a common goal in mind. I did alot of long, cold, snowy runs this winter... which didn't seem nearly as bad when surrounded with 10 or 15 other chatting runners. Make sure your well hydrated, fuelled and warmed up BEFORE heading out. Count on being cold for the first 5 to 10 minutes, so the remainder of your exercise you'll be comfortable... not sweating excessively which can lead to dangerous situations (being energy deprived, soaking wet and dangerous cold = trouble).

Make sure your dressed properly, but NOT over-dressed. Have a moisture wicking layer next to your skin (polypro), good insulating layer next (fleece, wool etc, NOT cotton), and a wind blocking outside layer (but not waterproof... you need the moisture to escape).

So... like I said, just get out there and have a good time. Your body will acclimatize quickly with regular exposure to cold temperatures. Living/training in -30C doesn't feel nearly as cold after the 4th week... heh. It froze here 5 nights ago ... winters coming ALREADY.

fallen^sparrow

 

[James Barnett]

I agree with Fallen Angel, combatting is just that, the enemy are your thoughts, do not focus on the discomforts. I am a martial artist, and a line cook, both of which have taught me many things about the cold. Stay Hydrated, proper clothing; you body will sweat and it needs an escape. I have always tried to be aware of that, because when your pores are open, is the time when your most saceptable to the weather. I would add, get your rest, I have noticed, most of the times I have caught a cold was from being tired, not from the cold. As a line cook, I have worked next to equipment that's 350 F. and then have to go look in a frezer that is -20 F. back and forth all day, no problems. I would also recommend masks, so ask you excersize your not breathing in such cold air directly. Research, I am no expert, ask doctors, athletes, read, and have fun, God Bless !

 

[FoundInGrace]

Hey thanks for all the great advice - good gear, good warm up, appeciate the help and the combatting the mind, biggie right there I think.
You guys train in much colder temps than me, you're awesome!!!
Sorry its taken a while to reply, its the weekend so got some time now! thanks again for the tips everyone - appreciate it!!

 

[Libby1]

My co-worker (friend) from work and I have been walking for a very long time now and are up to one hour plus per day. We walk in rain, love waling in the snow, especially when it is snowing and we walk when it is -20C. We draw the line at -35C (excluding the wind chill factor).........The only times we don't walk are when it is pouring, freezing rain OR as I stated below -20C. Otherwise we walk. We walk our doctor friends' hound dog to give us incentive (or does Patches walk us )

My friend always wears a coat while I have mega hot flashes so I dress cool and still melt (hehehe)

Libby1

 

[fitmom]

What do you consider "really cold" to be Grace and what exercise? I've done my fair share of cold weather training in SK, Canada... primarily in X-country skiing, running, skating, and biking (-50C rides are fun, *shivers*) etc. Honestly, being cold is mainly a mental barrier and to a lesser extent physical. If you think your cold... you will be. Focus instead on your workout, not the temperature. The best way I've found is to train with other people and have a common goal in mind. I did alot of long, cold, snowy runs this winter... which didn't seem nearly as bad when surrounded with 10 or 15 other chatting runners. Make sure your well hydrated, fuelled and warmed up BEFORE heading out. Count on being cold for the first 5 to 10 minutes, so the remainder of your exercise you'll be comfortable... not sweating excessively which can lead to dangerous situations (being energy deprived, soaking wet and dangerous cold = trouble).

Make sure your dressed properly, but NOT over-dressed. Have a moisture wicking layer next to your skin (polypro), good insulating layer next (fleece, wool etc, NOT cotton), and a wind blocking outside layer (but not waterproof... you need the moisture to escape).

So... like I said, just get out there and have a good time. Your body will acclimatize quickly with regular exposure to cold temperatures. Living/training in -30C doesn't feel nearly as cold after the 4th week... heh. It froze here 5 nights ago ... winters coming ALREADY.

fallen^sparrow

YAHOO - You rock, I will drive my car in winter here in Sask. to go to the gym, THEN warm up - teach classes - back in the car and home. I am way too wimpy to run outside in the winter. Carry on combatting and defeating the mighty Sask. winter. Reps. for you, J

 

[fallen^sparrow]

Happy belated "CANADA DAY!" to ya. How'd your "Jawg" go ? I was fortunate enough to be out riding this morning with a bunch of kids from our local speed-skating club. Ten or so grade 8-12's speed skaters wanted to learn a bit about road-biking ... so a couple friends and our provincial coach took'em out for a spin in the hills east of town. Within a couple minutes of brief instruction regarding pace-lines, drafting, echelons they were hummin right along and we did a fast paced 50 km's. Really impressed with their fitness level and maturity ... everyone had a great time, coaches included. Rained most of the afternoon but they were inside on the short-track rink ... "cooling off" with another 2 hour workout, heh ... ohhh to be 15 again.

fallen^sparrow

 

[fitmom]

Thanks, the JAWG was fun! I am working with Regina Skating Summer School this summer, all ages, up to adult. Should be fun. 50K on a bike with hills, hmmmm..........sounds tiring. J

 

[hckygrl4christ]

ok...you have the opposite problem that I have. I have a problem with exercising in the heat. I love to work out in the cold weather...after all I do it all year round inside a rink. I think with working out in the cold you just have to start doing it and getting used to it. It's not easy. I'm speaking from experience because I'm still trying to get myself not to be intimidated by the heat. You can do it. Once you get used to working in the cold, don't stop because then you'll have to start all over again. Don't fret because the way I see it, you'll get used to it after you do it for a few weeks or days or something like that and then you won't want to stop. Good luck! Maybe I can use my own advise when it comes to running in the heat.

 

[flaxman]

If you're trying to get used to exercising in the cold, I think you should try eating a half cup of ground flax seed everyday. I had a real problem with feeling colder than other people. This went on for over ten years. my body temp was normal and my thyroid was okay. My doctor thought I was nuts. After a short period of eating ground flax seeds my cold feeling went away. I read on a horse website that eating ground flax seeds helps horses tolerate cold better. These horses were in Iceland. I used to feel cold enough that I would wear extra layers of clothes even in the summer and turn the furnace on at night. I also notice that when I sweat the perspiration evaporates faster than it used to. That would be a good thing if exercising in the cold. I boil two cups of water, add one cup of rolled oats and a half cup of ground flax seeds[I use brown seeds, they're cheaper] I reduce the heat and cook for ten minutes. Eating something warm like this and then going out in the cold would be good. Be sure and give it some time to digest. I add some unsulphured black strap molasses and one percent milk to mine. Tastes great. I grind the seeds myself with a coffee grinder. It works well. I grind only what I'm going to eat. I've read they don't store well. I hope this helps you out. The flax has also been great for my asthma and allergies. I've stopped taking antidepressant and anti-anxiety meds. My exercise capacity has increased 33% to 50%. The Omega 3 essential fatty acids in the flax can really improve your physical stamina. I was riding an exercise bike for 45 minutes four or five times a week before flax. Now, i ride it for an hour or longer six times a week. the Bible says God gave us "seed bearing plants for food" in the first chapter of Genesis. I beleive the flax seed is the most nutritious and beneficial seed for our health. I hope this helps you. God bless. Take care. Praise Jesus.

 

[Nessie]

Well, I live in Idaho (USA) so I'm no stranger to cold!

I suggest wearing several layers of clothing, that way when you start warming up you can take one layer of clothing off at a time. When you first start exercising in the cold, you need to remember to breath through your nose... that warms up the air. If you breath through your mouth the cold air will make your chest and throat hurt. Over time you will get used to the cold and it won't be as hard. Also, in the extreme cold, if you run or something, try going to a gym or some type of facility that has an indoor track. Gyms will keep the temperature regulated so it is neither hot nor cold.

And, my most favorite thing to do in the rain is get a boom box and cover it so it doesn't get wet, then go outside and dance in the rain! It is so perfect.....