Fitting in that exercise rain, shine…or ice.
December 9, 2007 at 3:24 pm | In Fitness, Men's Health, Women's Health | Leave a CommentRunning on ice is not just a Billy Joel song.
If scraping the ice off of your car this morning didn’t wear you out and you’re thinking about squeezing in a little winter fitness, be sure to take some necessary precautions.
Two-year Tryathletics employee and runner, Michael Barrows has a few ideas for the dedicated winter athletes.
What are some important things to be cautious of when exercising outdoors in the winter months?
- Expect cars not to see you.
- Cars are more focused on the driving than what is going on around them.
- Watch out for black ice.
- It may not look like ice, but you can get hurt pretty bad if you take a step and fall hard.
What is the most common mistake made when doing outdoor winter fitness?
- Not dressing warm enough.
- You might go outside to check the weather really quick and think, “It’s not too bad.” But then it is actually colder than it seems and you begin your workout not prepared or dressed properly for the harsh wind.
As a runner yourself, what is some must-have gear during the winter season for outdoor athletes?
- Mittens or gloves that are windproof and waterproof.
- For me, keeping your hands and head warm is half of the battle.
- A thermal layer.
- A compression top and compression tights are necessary and longsleeves are pretty ideal.
Joy Davis explains three necessary clothing layers for your cold weather workouts in her eDiets.com article “Cool Tips for Cold-Weather Workouts.”
Prevention magazine online offers some layering ideas and when in what weather conditions to wear each article of clothing for those interested in winter fitness.
Check out Paige Waehner’s Exercise blog on about.com for exercise ideas, motivation and even holiday gifts for the active male or female.
Do you have any favorite winter exercise gear or tips for your fellow athletes? Post a comment and share it with us!
The Holidays & Change
December 7, 2007 at 1:55 pm | In General | Leave a CommentThe holidays are usually a time of joy and celebration.
Unfortunately, for some families though, this holiday season will be the first one since a significant change in the family’s composition.
The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Information Center provides a comprehensive article about what families who are dealing with change or loss can do to make the holidays as pleasant as possible. Read the article here.
The article provides tips about how to preserve traditions of the family, help for those families in which remarriage has come about and suggestions for coping with the loss of loved ones around the holidays.
Hopefully, these suggestions will help families in transition minimze stress and maximize enjoyment during this holiday season.
Stress is serious!
December 6, 2007 at 11:01 am | In General, Seasonal Illness, Women's Health | Leave a Comment
Worrying about holiday shopping and cooking and decorating? Stressing that your pocket is running low? Worried what your in-laws might think if you don’t do everything just right? Take a deep breath.
Click here to read an article from medicalnewstoday.com about managing stress during the holidays.
The article gives several tips to get you through the holidays and keeping your stress level low.
- Delegate your duties. Assign jobs to family members and get everyone involved with trimming the tree and icing the cookies.
- Stay on a budget. Don’t get stuck with miles of debt for 2008, stick to a budget in the beginning. Worrying feeds stress, and if you manage your money wisely during the holiday season then you just might save yourself a few months of worry and stress.
- Do something for yourself. Take a break, take a breath, and relax. Make sure you save time for yourself during the hustle and bustle of the season. Not only will your stress level go down, your happiness will rise.
Stress can take a toll on everyone around you. According to the Federal Occupational Health Web site, the symptoms of stress are important to look for.
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or moodiness
- Decreased satisfaction with tasks
- Persistent feeling of urgency
- Clammy and sweaty hands
- Cold hands and feet
- Tension headaches, backaches, stomachaches or other physical discomfort
The Web site includes more ways to manage stress and resources on how to get help. Stress should be taken seriously, especially during the holidays. Be careful and enjoy the festivities, but remember to take time for yourself.
Hello, Cold Season!
December 5, 2007 at 10:31 pm | In 1, Children's Health, Seasonal Illness, Women's Health | Leave a CommentWith the welcoming of winter and its weather, we must also greet the beginning of cold season.
As the common cold runs rampant throughout your office or school, before you jump to conclusions, you may need to evaluate your symptoms. When damp weather appears and old holiday decorations come out, dust, mold and other allergens also emerge and may initially seem like the symptoms of a cold.
So, if you are not sure what gives you the sniffles, then take a look at the table below from the November/December issue of WebMD: The Magazine and WebMD.com. This quick little assessment can raise some important questions to ask your doctor.
Be sure to check out WebMD’s “Cold & Flu Health Center” for more detailed information and answers to questions about your colds and allergies.
How do you keep dust and mold at bay during this busy season?
Trying to prevent the cold before it gets to you?
Take a look at eHow.com’s 9-step cold and flu season preparation tips and mamashealth.com’s ideas for avoiding the cold.
Cold Weather Safety Tips
December 3, 2007 at 3:49 pm | In Seasonal Illness | Leave a CommentThe cold, dry days of winter are not just annoying; they can be dangerous, as well. Read on to protect yourself from the cold.
According to the American Red Cross website, it does not have to be below freezing outside for hypothermia to occur. The American Red Cross website provides tips for cold weather safety:
- If outside: avoid being out in cold weather for a long time and dress appropriately
- If clothing is wet, replace with dry clothing
- Try to stay hydrated
- Dress in layers and wear a hat because heat can escape through the head
- When traveling, monitor the weather and try to allow extra time for traveling in case you get caught in bad weather
- Have a survival kit available that includes: food, blankets, and a first-aid kit
The American Red Cross website also mentions the signs of hypothermia, which include:
- severe shivering
- exhaustion
- confusion
- dizziness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website has information on staying safe in your home during periods of cold weather:
- Have alternative ways of heating your home, such as kerosene lamps or firewood for fireplaces
- Safely heat your home. The website lists how.
- Have supplies available for an emergency, such as: food, water, medicine, fire extinguisher, radio, watch, matches, blankets, batteries, can opener, first-aid, flashlight, and shovel
Sources: www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/coldweather.html; www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp
Don’t hibernate, stay active during winter months
December 2, 2007 at 10:50 pm | In Fitness | Leave a CommentDon’t let the cold weather stop you from exercising. Bring your exercises indoors. Running and being active in the cold weather for long periods of time could be damaging to your health and cause a cold or the flu, but there is an alternative.
We found several articles and websites that can be beneficial to keep your body fit during the holidays.
Click here to read an article from eDiets.com on how to winterize your workout routine.
Lynn Bode writes for career-intelligence.com, giving several tips and strategies on staying active during the winter.
We also found a few tips at kidzworld.com to keep kids active during the winter months. Activities include Dance, Dance, Revolution and jumping rope.
Let us know if you have any tips on staying fit during the cold season.
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