Keep "Chillin"

A few reasons to Keep Chillin with me on these cold days!!

Spring is only 76 Days Away!

Breathing fresh air is a boon to your body. Outdoor exercise can crank up your energy while decreasing tension, frustration, and depression. Cold weather is invigorating, it makes you feel alive and increases your levels of good hormones, endorphins. In the cold your endorphin production is increased from your body working harder leading you to a happier state of mind!

You burn more calories in the cold weather! Who doesn't LOVE that!

And a few tips to keep you chillin'.....

1. Dress in layers
One of the biggest mistakes you can make while exercising in cold weather is to dress too warmly. Exercise generates a considerable amount of heat — enough to make you feel like it's much warmer than it really is. Yet, once your sweat starts to dry, you can get chilled. The solution?

Dress in layers that you can remove as soon as you start to sweat and then put back on as needed. First, put on a thin layer of synthetic material, such as polypropylene, which draws sweat away from your body. Avoid cotton, which stays wet next to your skin. Next, add a layer of fleece or wool for insulation. Top this with a waterproof, breathable outer layer. A heavy down jacket or vest may cause you to overheat if you're exercising hard. If you're lean, you may need more insulation than someone who is heavier. If it's very cold, consider wearing a face mask or scarf to warm the air before it enters your lungs.

You may need to experiment before you find a combination of clothing that works well for you based on your exercise intensity. Keep in mind, too, that stop-and-go activities, such as mixing walking with running, can make you more vulnerable to the cold if you repeatedly work up a sweat and then get chilly.

Protect your hands, feet and ears

When it's cold, blood flow is concentrated on your body's core, leaving your hands and feet vulnerable to frostbite. Try wearing a thin pair of gloves under a pair of heavier gloves or mittens lined with wool or fleece.  Considering buying exercise shoes a half-size or one size larger than usual to allow for thick thermal socks or an extra pair of regular socks. And don't forget a hat or headband to protect your ears, which also are vulnerable to frostbite.

Protect your natural outer layer – your skin: Winter weather threatens the skin with cold, wind, and lower humidity indoors and out. Protect your skin – especially face and lips – with an easy regimen of moisturizer, sun protection, and a gentle cleanser. Apply moisturizer and lip balm before venturing outdoors, and for daytime workouts or runs choose products with SPF. Once you are back home, wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply moisturizer to offset winter's chapping and the drying effects of indoor heating. Lotion your body lavishly after showering

HYDRATE
It is actually just as easy to become dehydrated in the cold as it is in the heat, so please be sure to hydrate properly before, during and after our workouts.

The good news is that along with these temperatures come warmer temps, Friday thru Sunday should bring us warmer mornings!  Remember pain is weakness leaving the body, no pain no gain.  Staying healthy and working out is hard, chilling to the bone gives you strength and should make you believe in yourself even more!

Keep Chillin'!