5 Benefits of Exercising Outdoors


5 Benefits of Exercising Outdoors When You're Freezing Your Ass Off

By Laura McDonald
Are you tempted to dive under the covers and hibernate when cold weather hits? It certainly seems like a good excuse, but exercising in the cold actually has some (pardon the pun) cool advantages.

Is it ever TOO cold to exercise outdoors? Not according to the experts interviewed here.

Growing up in the south, I never had to contend with super cold weather workouts so when I relocated to the Northeast it was new to me. But over the years, I’ve become an avid winter fitness buff and the crisp, clean, cold air really makes me feel alive, healthy and tuned in.

As a fitness instructor, I teach a boot-camp class in New York’s Central Park and some of our best workouts are in the cold weather. We have to keep moving to stay warm, we work hard, we yip and yell and burn a ton of calories! 

After an hour lunging, jumping, squatting, doing push-ups, step ups and all types of exercises, we feel invigorated, satisfied and know we’ve pushed our minds and bodies to new extremes.

5 Benefits of Cold Weather Workouts:

1. You burn more calories. 

This is probably the best and most popular perk. Because your body is working harder, your metabolism revs up and your body burns more calories and fat to produce energy for your workout.

2. Your endurance performance increases. 

By challenging yourself in the cold weather, you are strengthening your heart, lungs and circulatory system, thereby improving your overall health. 

3. Working out in the winter can help fight SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). 

Being outside and taking in more sun during the daylight hours helps keep your mind sharp and relieves depression as well as increasing your body’s manufacturing of vitamin D.

4. Exercise can help to boost feel good endorphins which elevate your mood and make you happier! 

The cold stimulates your parasympathetic system. (The sympathetic system is known as the “fight or flight” response while the parasympathetic is known as the “relax and renew” system). These endorphins can trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that keep us happy, feeling good and ease depression.

5. It's invigorating, exciting and energizing. 

This is my personal favorite benefit of cold weather exercising. There’s nothing like adding that rosy glow to your cheeks after an intense outdoor winter workout.

Keep it safe, a few simple tips for exercising in the cold:
  • Make sure you hydrate before, during and after your workout.
  • Wear layers that you can peel off as necessary. 
  • Wear a hat and gloves.
  • Adequately insulate your extremities. The face, fingers and toes are the first to get frostbitten. (Pain or tingling in your ears, fingers or toes is usually a sign it’s time to come indoors and warm up.)
  • Beware of ice. (I’ve had a few slips out there myself.)
No excuses now! Don’t let the cold keep you indoors this winter. Get outside, get your butt moving and enjoy the extra benefits a cold weather workout has to offer.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 Ways Your Pumpkin Can Make You Prettier

Image
Pumpkins are more than a delicious flavor for lattes and baked goods. They're packed with vitamins and antioxidants that nourish your skin, body, and hair—making the seasonally appropriate squash just the ingredient your fall beauty DIY needs. Get your pumpkin fix, minus the calories, with these recipes. Click through to see four pumpkin-inspired DIYs for your hair, skin, and body. 1  of  4 1. It Can Give You Shinier Hair PHOTO:  Hello Natural Pumpkin is rich in potassium and vitamin A, making it especially great for restoring damaged, dry hair (especially when it’s combined with ultra-moisturizing honey). You'll need: 2 cups cooked pumpkin 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon coconut oil 1 tablespoon unflavored yogurt  Puree the pumpkin and yogurt, then mix in the coconut oil and honey. Evenly cover your hair from roots to ends, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Rinse out the mixture, and then shampoo to ensure no residue is left.  ...
Read more

How Air Pollution Is Damaging Your Health

Image
Exposure to air pollution is associated with numerous effects on human health, including pulmonary, cardiac, vascular, and neurological impairments. The health effects vary greatly from person to person. High-risk groups such as the elderly, infants, pregnant women, and sufferers from chronic heart and lung diseases are more susceptible to air pollution. Children are at greater risk because they are generally more active outdoors and their lungs are still developing. Exposure to air pollution can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) health effects. The health of our lungs and entire respiratory system is affected by the quality of the air we breathe. In addition to oxygen, this air contains other substances ...
Read more

Most Popular Anti-Aging Skin Care Ingredients

Image
Now I look for these ingredients in my skincare to test and review. They are very important for great skin. And I have learned so much about ingredients and what to look for in a great product. This is a list so you can understand the ingredients to look for. Watch for my reviews and you will see all these ingredients are in the products I test. Anti-aging skin care…it seems as though every magazine you read or every site you go to on the Internet is talking about it. After all, isn’t that why you came to my blog? Today, there are some “hot” product ingredients that you will hear mentioned, but what do they actually do? I have put together some of the more popular ingredients below so you can be a bit more informed as you read down the product labels of your favorite anti-aging skin care products. • Alpha Hydroxy Acid  – this ingredient is very popular in products offering exfoliation and/or chemical peels. These acids can be natural or synthetic and are very potent. In fa...
Read more