Tammy Roberts, Nutrition and Health Education Specialist, Bates County, University of Missouri Extension
For many people, the cold winter weather is a reason not to exercise outside or not to exercise at all. However, it is possible to get a great workout outdoors as long as you exercise caution and dress properly.
Exercising in cold weather can put extra stress on the body. It is important to consult your physician if you have a medical condition that puts you at risk before implementing a new outdoor regimen.
The two conditions you have to worry about when exercising outdoors during winter months are frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is a condition that describes freezing body tissue. It occurs most often on fingers, toes, ears and face. Symptoms of frostbite include pain, numbness, tingling and burning of the affected site. Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature drops to below 95 degrees. Symptoms include chills, fatigue, drowsiness, slurred speech, intense shivering and loss of coordination.
The right clothes are your first line of defense against these conditions…
From dressing in layers to stretching properly, get all of the tips you need for protecting yourself from the cold in the full version of this article at http://missourifamilies.org/
