Tips for exercising in the winter
Published 5 Jan 2016
The winter season normally brings a visit from an old friend named Jack Frost. Some people see Jack Frost as their friend and welcome him into their lives along with the cold temperatures, snow ice, and the cold wind he brings their way. Other people do not want anything to do with Jack Frost and when they sense him around the corner and on his way to visit, they change their schedule and their way of life. Following are a few ways to make exercising easier in the cold weather.
Exercise Indoors
If the weather is not conductive to you exercising outside, then try an indoor program. Some of the popular stationary equipment that can be found in a home is a treadmill, stationary bike, mini trampoline, elliptical or a stair climber. Some people prefer a DVD of low impact aerobics, yoga, stretching, exercise tubing or lifting weights. Other people enjoy exercising in a health club. The key is to find something indoors that will keep you moving through the cold winter months.
Aches and Pains
When the temperature becomes colder, many people experience various aches, pains, arthritis and don’t feel like exercising. Some people find comfort in using a heating pad, electric blanket or several layers of clothes to keep them warm which can help the muscles and joints to feel better. An extended warm up period before exercise is also helpful to improve the range of motion, flexibility, circulation, and increased nutrients to the tissues.
Foods that are Anti-Inflammatory
There are many green foods with natural chlorophyll in them that have anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease the pain. Barley grass (I like BarleyLife) has been shown to have the most chlorophyll (more than spinach) and can decrease pain and inflammation so a person can exercise and it also has many beneficial vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes to nourish the cells which can help to curb the appetite too. Digestive enzymes (when taken on an empty stomach) have been shown to decrease pain in many conditions. I prefer PrepZymes.
Feel the Weather Change
When I was a child I can remember my grandparents talking about how they could tell when a cold front was moving into the area for their joints or muscles would start to hurt. I used to wonder what they were talking about. I didn’t have to wonder very long for I started to have symptoms of arthritis when I was only 15 years old (10 years later I received a diagnosis of having fibromyalgia.) The theory is that the pain is felt due to the barometric pressure changing. So if you know a cold front is coming your way, then plan accordingly.
When you can feel that Jack Frost is about to pay a visit, try welcoming him and adapting to the cold temperatures, snow and cold wind that he brings your way. If the cold bothers you, you don’t have to stop working out during the winter season. You can still receive the benefits of exercise if you keep your muscles and joints warm, bring your exercise program indoors and eat foods that have anti-inflammatory benefits.
(Debra Pugh, author of the book, “Fibromyalgia and Fatigue: A Recipe for Feeling Fit and Healthy,” has a bachelor’s degree, is a certified personal trainer, and a certified sports nutritionist. She has more than 25 years of experience in counseling people in health and wellness such as weight loss, exercise, nutrition, balance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, auto-immune syndromes, arthritis, hormones, toxins, cleansers, supplements and increased energy.
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