Do you feel as though when the cold weather creeps in, you just don’t feel as motivated as you once did? This is especially the case if you like to run outdoors. If you want to help yourself here then you need to change your approach. Take a look below to learn more.
Resist the Pull
As a general rule, you shouldn’t be less active in winter, than in summer. Cold weather is not an excuse for you to pass up a workout. If you can’t stand the idea of running outside then you should at least be trying to go for a swim at your local fitness center or even work out from home. At the end of the day, you can even run to your local fitness center so you can still get your steps in. Little things like this are great if you want to change things up a bit without compromising your current fitness routine.
Wear the Right Clothing
Your sense of cold will depend on your general tolerance. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to fitness clothing, so you ultimately need to do what works for you. One thing you can do is take an extra layer with you and if you get too warm, wrap it around your waist. Running for longer is also a solution, the longer you run for, the warmer you will be. When choosing running gear, try and opt for breathable fabric. You’ll also need a good pair of gloves too. You can buy mens thermal gloves online and when you do, you can make your winter workouts a bit more bearable.
Warm Up
If you want to beat the cold even more then another thing you can do is warm up before you set off. Your muscles and joints will benefit from having even a short warm-up routine. Warming up is particularly important in winter, as the colder your muscles are, the more likely you will be to sustain an injury. Stretch a little too, as this will help you to stop yourself from seizing up when you go outside.
Breathe through your Nose
When it is frosty, you need to make sure that you breathe through your nose. Your nose is warm and it helps to moisturize outdoor air too. When you exhale, your breath will warm your mucous membranes too. Tricks like this can help you to make the most out of your workout and you’d be surprised at how beneficial it can be if you find that the cold air stops you from breathing as well as you could.
Cover your Mouth
Some people have major problems with cold air when running outdoors. Cold air is normally very dry and it can also irritate your airways. If you can run with a scarf then this will help to collect moisture by warming your mouth a little bit. Sports equipment stores tend to stock gear that is especially suited to this, so make sure that you look into that for yourself.