WELL ON YOUR WAY
I have to be honest with you: I am not a big fan of January and February. I hate being cold and I hate the wet, dreary days of these winter months. I tend to hole up in a gym during the cold, wet months in Delta waiting for the sun and birds to make their appearance again.
However, when I do venture out of my cave, I dress appropriately.
I am firm believer the clothes make the woman (or man), and if you are not properly prepared for your activity, your performance and enjoyment will suffer greatly.
Try these following eight tips to ensure you continue to take pleasure, and benefit from, your winter workouts.
1. Your first layer is the most important.
Forget about anything with cotton in it because this type of material will hold moisture (aka sweat) next to your skin. One of the key goals for cold-weather work outs is to avoid excess sweat build-up. Excessive sweat build-up will cause a severe chilling factor, especially if the temperature turns cooler or windier, or if you have to slow down or stop your workout.
Your best choice is a breathable material that will "wick" away the sweat. There are a variety of lightweight, moisture-wicking garments (look for the words "Cool-Max" or "Dri-Fit") on the market today and available at most fitness apparel stores. A word of advice though: don't balk at the prices! Yes, they do cost a few dollars more, but trust me, they are well worth it.
2. If it is really cold out, you may need a middle layer to "trap" the warmth your muscles generate.
Fleece is the recommended fabric for this job, as it will provide the most amount of warmth with the least amount of bulk. It's quite funny, because half of my closet consists of fleece, while the other half consists of Cool-Max. So those rare times when I have to dress up for an event become quite a challenge (how does one "dress up" a Nike Dri-Fit shirt?).
3. Your outer layer should be made with a fabric that is breathable, wind-resistant and water-resistant.
This is where the bulk of your budget will go, and it is well worth it. It's very important to wear a windbreaker as your outer layer since the wind is often the biggest contributor to winter coldness (think sitting on the chairlift). As well, look for a jacket with a significant degree of water-resistance or spend the few extra dollars and purchase a water-proof jacket - most likely your best bet living around here.
4. Select outer layers with zippers and other vents.
These will allow you to control your body temperature better by zipping them up and down as the outside (and inside) temperatures vary.
5. Cover your hands and head.
Did you know that you can lose up to 40 per cent of your body heat through your head? During the cold weather months wear a wool or breathable hat that can be pulled over your ears, and cover your hands. For running, there are a variety of lightweight, windproof, water resistant and breathable fabrics to help keep your hands dry and comfy. For all other outdoor activities it is preferable to wear mittens for hand protection.
6. Feet Cotton, once again, is a poor choice for a base layer, even with socks. Look for synthetic socks that won't hold the moisture next to your skin to help prevent blisters and athlete's foot. I also warn against purchasing the thickest sock you can find. Most synthetic socks will actually be quite thin, but will perform much better than a bulky sock at keeping your tender tootsies warm.
7. Don't worry too much about your legs.
A runner or walker's legs stand up quite well in cold weather, compared to their torso. Often, simple tights or pants of a wind suit are enough. In extreme cold and wind, add a base layer of fleece or high-tech polyester under wind-resistant pants.
8. Wear running shoes with good outsoles (treads).
Winter roads can be slippery, so a pair of running shoes, or even trail running shoes, with lots of ridges and studs (called an "aggressive" outsole), is your shoe of choice for the wet, winter months.
PJ Wren is a local personal and fitness writer who can be found bundled up by a fire in the Delta area. www.gofitgals.com
