2Inspire Health & Fitness Magazine #28 - January 2022

Setting Fitness Goals That Motivate Winter Weight Loss: Hormone Balance and Your Weight Easy Ways to Healthy Up Your Favorite Comfort Foods What Should You Eat on Cozy Family Nights When You’re Trying to Lose Weight?

2Inspirenutrition.com January 2022 FREE

Indoor Exercises to Get You Moving This Winter 10 Tips for Losing Weight During Cold Weather Layering Tips to Dressing for Winter Fitness How to Exercise Even Though You’re Out of Breath Right Away Exercising When It’s Cold Out: Harder to Motivate, But Worth the Effort

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S ISSUE Setting Fitness Goals That Motivate - pg. 3 Winter Weight Loss: Hormone Balance and Your Weight - pg. 7 Easy Ways to Healthy Up Your Favorite Comfort Foods - pg. 9 What Should You Eat on Cozy Family Nights When You’re Trying to Lose Weight? - pg. 11 Exercising When It’s Cold Out: Harder to Motivate, But Worth the Effort - pg. 13 Indoor Exercises to Get You Moving This Winter- pg. 16 10 Tips for Losing Weight During Cold Weather - pg. 18 Layering Tips to Dressing for Winter Fitness - pg. 20 How to Exercise Even Though You’re Out of Breath Right Away - pg. 22

Does it seem like the cold weather zaps any and all energy that you have left every day? Read to find out how to combat that pesky, cold weather and get your workout mojo back!

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over and the winter temperatures have set in, do you find yourself struggling to keep with your workout & diet plans? We’ve all been there, its tough to get back on the right track, but when it comes down to it setting S.M.A.R.T goals can become your best friend. It‘s time to learn the ABCs of effective goal setting and use them to your benefit. So let’s stand up for ourselves and take our fitness into our own hands, let‘s control the controllables together. togethe Let’s face it working out with winter weather can be pretty tricky, from bitter, cold temperatures, to icy & snowdrifted streets, it’s definitely a challenge. Since we can’t rely on the weather to cooperate with us, it‘s time to healthy up your comfort foods, learn how to exercise in the winter, learn different indoor workouts, understand the importance and right way to layer up when braving the cold, and so much more. This month you can also read about how to enjoy your cozy nights in with family while trying to lose weight. The winter can be tricky, so let’s come together and keep each other on track!

To your health, Dennis M. Postema P.S. Make sure you let your friends and family know they can get a free subscription to 2Inspire simply by visiting our website.

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The content in 2Inspire Magazine is made available on the terms and conditions that the publisher, editors, contributors and relatied parties; shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor or related party; disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause; are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken by any person, organization or any party on basis of reading information, or contributions in this publication, website or related product.

Setting Fitness Goals That Motivate

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No matter how badly you think you want to get fit, if you aren’t motivated, it’s simply not going to happen. A strong habit of self-motivation is one of the most powerful tools you have because it maintains your interest and secures your commitment to achieving a goal or completing a task.

The higher your levels of self-motivation, the more likely you are to complete any task and achieve any goal, especially those related to fitness. One critical way to create the habit of self-motivation is through proper goal setting.

THE ABCs of Effective Goals Goals have to meet a specific formula for them to be motivational. One of the most important is that goals be specific. For example, a vague goal will be something like: “I want to exercise more.”

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be focusing on S.M.A.R.T. goals. The S.M.A.R.T. Model outlines the simple guidelines you can use for setting effective goals in the critical areas of your life.

S.M.A.R.T. stands for:

S – Simple/Specific: Keep your goal simple and focused, rather than wordy and vague. Be very specific about the outcome you want.

M – Measurable: How will you know when your goal is reached? What will be different?

A – Attractive: Does the goal inspire you? Is it exciting enough in both the long and short term?

R – Realistic: The goal must be achievable.

T – Timed: Give yourself a start date to have achieved the goal.

“I want to exercise more.”

While this is certainly a good objective, it’s • Is it specific? No. difficult to create a plan for It confines itself to achieving it when it’s so exercising, but it gives vague. Instead, you should

no parameters to meet.

• Is it measurable? No. There is no discussion of what “more” is.

Are you currently exercising at all? If not, then is exercising just once enough to meet this goal?

• Is it attainable?

That’s impossible to say because you’ve set no actual parameters.

If you are already exercising every day, you may not be physically able to increase what you’re doing.

• Is it realistic? Again, it’s impossible to say because it’s too vague.

• Is it timely? This goal has no time limit. It doesn’t say whether you want to exercise more today, this week, this month or this year.

It is not timely.

Here’s a revision to the goal that meets S.M.A.R.T. standards: “Starting January 15th, I will exercise 4 times a week, adding one extra day to my regular workout schedule.”

Defining What You Want

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for your health that you don’t have?

Setting goals for your 4. What physical traits fitness isn’t about or ailments do you grabbing a pen and have but no longer jotting down some want? guidelines. It’s a profound 5. What excites or process that requires inspires you? much consideration. In order to figure out in what 6. What do you want ways you want to really out of your fitness overhaul your fitness journey? routine, you have to spend time thinking and begin to build your life from the A goal can be simple or complex. It can be inside out. immediate, such as, “Today I want to eat less sugar.” Or Goals are, first and it can be long-term, such foremost, about figuring as “In 10 years, I want to out what we want. Here be able to run a 4-minute are some questions that mile.” Let’s take a look at can help you do that: the different types of goals you can set.

1. What aspects of your fitness do you Short-term: Short-term want to change? goals are those objectives 2. What do you want you want to accomplish to accomplish in a in fewer than 3 months. month, a year, your They should be ambitious, lifetime? but not so ambitious as to be impossible. For 3. What do you want

example, you may be able to lose 10 pounds over the course of 3 months, but you won’t be able to meet a 100-pound weight loss goal in that time.

Mid-Term: Mid-term goals can be slightly more aggressive than shortterm goals because the intention is to accomplish them over the next 3 months to one year. Often, these goals will be steps in achieving your longerterm goals.

Long-term: Long-term goals are things you want to accomplish in 2 years, 10 years, or more. These are your big, life changers.

Daily: Daily goals are like to-do list tasks. They are the small items you need to get done in order to keep up with life. Some may also be steps you must complete in order to accomplish longer goals.

Weekly: Weekly goals are tasks that must get done but take longer than just a day to do them. Daily and weekly goals could be consistent, habit-forming goals you want to make, such as getting consistent about working out.

Take It One Goal At A Time Lastly, I want to talk about the importance of focusing on one goal at a time. One of the most significant changes we should make to lose weight is to eat better.

The goal to eliminate unhealthy food items from your diet can be far more achievable when foods or food groups are removed one at a time rather than all at once. For example, an individual who regularly indulges in fast food, soda, beer, and sugary desserts may find it incredibly intimidating to say “No,” to all those items at once. Instead, focus on small changes that take place over one-week increments. You’ll find that to be less stressful.

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For example, in the first week, focus on avoiding fast food. At the same time, you may decrease the amount of soda, beer,

or desserts from your diet without removing them entirely. The following week, focus on avoiding or reducing the amount of another item that is detrimental to your diet or health.

You can use the same approach for changes in exercise or lifestyle habits. Don’t expect to go to the gym and run a mile on the treadmill your first week. While you are tackling your food issues, work your way to various exercise goals by starting slowly. For instance, rather than attempting to run a mile on the treadmill your first week of exercise, focus on stretching and strengthening exercises that will help limber your body and focus your mind on how good you feel to be moving.

Success is all about setting realistic goals that prioritize your health and physical fitness and laying out a wellplanned, practical, and performance-based fitness program focused on your unique objectives.

SMART FOR ME To add a little extra motivation to your goal setting formula, consider creating S.M.A.R.T. goals FOR ME. This process starts with setting S.M.A.R.T. goals but also ensures the goals are: • Focused – it is essential that you set focused goals. Don’t commit to too many goals.

• Optimistic – you need to write your goals in a positive way so that they are optimistic.

• Ready – you must be prepared to start working on a goal right now. If you need to wait around for someone to assist you then your goal is not ready.

• Meaningful – all of your goals need to tie in with your life’s purpose.

• Exciting – all goals that you set must be exciting. They must provide you with an emotional buzz to motivate you at the highest levels.

Winter Weight Loss: Hormone Balance and Your Weight If you’re like most middleaged people, your waistline is larger than it was when you were in your 20’s or even your 30’s.

There are many reasons for this: larger portions, sedentary lifestyle, genetics. But there is one more reason: Hormone balance, or should we say imbalance.

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As we age, our body’s

hormones change. They act as the chemical messenger triggering bodily functions like metabolism. But sometimes hormones become imbalanced causing your body to hold onto excess weight.

Hormonal imbalance happens when you have too much or too little of certain hormones. Even

small changes can affect your health. Hormone disorders are one factor that affects hormone balance. Another is age.

But there are some ways you can combat hormonerelated weight gain, including nutritious diet and healthy behaviors.

Here are 7 Tips to beat hormone imbalance and weight gain.

Tip #1: Eat protein at every meal. An adequate amount of protein is essential to providing the amino acids your body can’t make on its own. Protein is needed to maintain muscle, bone and your skin health.

and refined carbs may be key in optimizing hormone function, as well as for avoiding obesity and other diseases.

MCTs are unique fats that stimulate the production of hormones that help control your appetite.

Aim to consume a minimum of 20 to 30 grams of protein at each meal.

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Tip #2: Engage in regular physical activity. Physical activity strongly impacts hormone health. Exercise helps reduce insulin levels Tip #4: Manage your while increasing insulin stress. Stress can cause sensitivity. big problems with two major hormones: The hormone insulin cortisol and adrenaline functions by allowing or epinephrine. Cortisol cells to take sugar and helps your body cope with amino acids from the stress over the long term. bloodstream. Then they Adrenaline is the fight or are used for burning flight hormone, providing energy and to maintain energy to respond to muscle. But it only takes a immediate danger. small amount of insulin.

Engage in stress reducing Many types of exercise, like behaviors like yoga, strength training, aerobics, meditation and listening walking or any other to calming music. This will form of physical exercise help your body level out modifies hormone levels. stress hormones.

This reduces the risk of disease caused by high Tip #5: Eat healthy insulin levels. fats. High-quality natural fats help reduce insulin Tip #3: Stay away from resistance and your excess sugar and refined appetite. These mediumcarbs. Minimizing sugar chain triglycerides or

Tip #6: Consume fatty fish at least twice a week. Fatty fish delivers a course of omega-3 fatty acids. These have antiinflammatory properties.

Salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel all benefit hormones when eaten two or more times a week.

Tip #7: Eat a diet high in fiber. Fiber, especially soluble fiber, has a strong effect on your appetite and makes you feel full.

Consume fiber rich foods daily for best hormone related weight loss results.

Hormone balance plays an important role in maintaining healthy weight. These simple practices will help you combat hormone imbalance, especially as you age.

Easy Ways to Healthy Up Your Favorite Comfort Foods

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Winter is meant for comfort foods. Warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Gooey macaroni and cheese topped with crunchy breadcrumbs. Loaded baked potato. A hearty stew or comforting chili.

We love and crave comfort foods because they are often high in sugar, salt or fat. They also bring back happy memories of people or events from our past. Maybe grandma make chocolate chip cookies with you every time you visited, and it make you happy. Eating comfort foods brings back those feelings of joy.

You can have your comfort foods if you healthy them up. If there is a food you love, you don’t necessarily have to avoid that food.

Instead, find ways to make it healthier.

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or black beans in main it to make fried chicken, dishes, for part of the fat in French fries, or any your recipe. other fried foods you normally fry in oil. A convection setting on your oven or toaster oven can be used in place of an air fryer.

Add vegetables. Blend vegetables into creambased soups. Add them to tomato sauces or hide them in your cakes (think shredded carrots or zucchini). Add a layer of vegetables to your grilled cheese sandwich or pile veggies atop your pizza slice.

Cut sugar and salt you use in your recipes.

Remember that sugar and salt sometimes lurk in condiments and packaged foods, so check labels.

A recipe that you didn’t add salt to may contain ketchup, soy sauce or BBQ sauce. These are all high in salt and sugar.

That might mean making healthy swaps of the less healthy ingredient with something else. For example, swap liquid vegetable or nut oils for Substitute whole grain butter or shortening when flour or nut flour for white possible. flour in baked goods to add more fiber.

Use less fat. Switch applesauce in desserts, Invest in an air fryer. Use

Use mashed cauliflower in place of part of your mashed potatoes. Replace heavy cream or butter in mashed potatoes with broth or olive oil.

Substitute ground turkey or chicken in lieu of ground beef. If using beef or pork anyway, go for extra lean, at least 90 percent.

Swap out your sour cream for Greek yogurt in salad dressings, sauces and mashed potatoes.

Switch out all or part of your spaghetti or lasagna noodles with vegetables.

Spiralized zucchini or thin sliced eggplant are both delicious choices.

You don’t have to deprive yourself of your favorite winter foods. Instead, try using simple, easy ingredient swaps so you can enjoy your favorite comfort foods while still losing weight.

What Should You Eat on Cozy Family Nights When You’re Trying to Lose Weight?

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The temperature has dropped.

The clouds have let loose with snow and the blustery wind howls. These brisk winter nights make us want to hibernate with family and nosh on comfort foods. But what should you eat on cozy family nights when you’re trying to lose weight?

Winter weather comfort foods don’t have to be laden with carbs and high in calories. Instead, plan ahead and choose meals around seasonal healthy foods so you can drop pounds before the summer season comes around.

Healthy, in-season foods for the winter months include the following: • Brussels sprouts are filled with good for you nutrients, fiber and other health benefits.

Try them roasted, sautéed or in salads.

• Oatmeal supplies fiber and antioxidants.

Top a bowl with fresh fruit, nuts, and a dash of cinnamon for a hearty morning meal.

• Kale is high in vitamins and minerals.

This good-for-you green plays nicely with other veggies and fruits, in salads, smoothies, crisped in the air fryer or added to soups.

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• Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruit and tangerines are rich in vitamin C and other nutrients. Add them to your winter salads, desserts, and smoothies.

• Nuts and seeds help you feel full. Just be aware of portion sizes as they can also be high in fat and calories.

Add nuts and seeds to smoothies, scrambled eggs, salads or as a quick, tasty snack.

• Squash including butternut, acorn, spaghetti, and pumpkin count as superfoods that burst with fiber and antioxidant vitamins. Sautee, puree, roast, and chop into a variety of dishes.

Substitute roasted spaghetti squash for regular pasta noodles.

• Cabbage is a cruciferous cousin of broccoli, containing many of the same nutritional benefits including helping to reduce cancer risk due to high antioxidant properties. Try it in a soup (see recipe, below this section).

• Mustard greens, rich in beta carotene, can be eaten fresh, sauteed, steamed or simmered.

They balance out your meat dishes nicely and promote digestion of fats.

• Apples are naturally sweet and benefit digestion. They taste

great raw, in salads, baked, in desserts or main dishes such as with pork roast or ground into pork burgers.

• Carrots are packed with fiber, keeping you feeling full longer.

Beta-carotene from carrots is said to protect eye healthy. They’re low in calories and can be eaten as is or added to sautés, soups, smoothies, or salads.

• Beetroot is another weight loss friendly food packed with fiber.

Use them in salads or juices. Fresh is best for maximum benefits.

• Cinnamon is a warm and woody spice that we often think of for dessert or baked goods. Cinnamon naturally helps boost metabolism. Add a dash of cinnamon to your morning coffee, in chili or stew, sprinkled on your toast or in baked apples.

Exercising When It’s Cold Out: Harder to Motivate, But Worth the Effort

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Winter’s blustery cold days keep us huddled inside hibernating. It makes it hard to stay motivated to exercise and stay on track through the winter months. But regular exercise when it’s cold out helps keep our spirits up, improves our health and gets us a head-start in creating the body we want in the summer months.

Even though it’s harder to get motivated, it’s worth the effort.

There are several ways you can stay motivated when all you want to do is snuggle up and hang out on the sofa.

1. Get an exercise partner or join a group.

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When you try to exercise on your own, you don’t have to convince anyone but yourself when you want to skip a session.

Exercise partners on the other hand provide social support, distraction, and camaraderie as well as friendship. If you are

working out at home, consider joining a live video class.

friends?

5. Invest in some new gear or workout clothes.

2. Set a goal to get to the gym.

This might be just what gets you excited Focus on putting on your enough to exercise. The workout clothes and excitement of trying out showing up at the gym or new equipment will help in front of your video. Then you get into the habit of if you don’t feel like doing exercising. a complete work out, do a shortened version. Once you’re there, though you’re 6. Take your workout outside. more likely to hit your exercise goals. Getting there is the hardest hurdle Layer up your clothes and head outside to take a to jump, but worth the walk, go snow tubing; ski, extra motivation that it ice skate or get into any takes! other outdoor fun.

3. Set your thermostat in the morning for a 7. Tackle winter tasks. cozy temperature so it’s comfortable and ready Shovel snow, pull the kids for you. around on sleds. Start digging your garden beds, Also put your workout why not! There’s always clothes near a heater some type of cold-weather so they are warm when work that needs to be you’re ready to get done, and doing it yourself dressed. When we’re chilly, gets your heart pumping, we tend to not want to your body burning move! calories, and makes you feel good.

4. Sign up for and commit to a fitness Finding things you enjoy challenge. and having others to exercise with will help you Challenges hold you accountable and give you stay motivated, so you don’t spend the winter a goal. Can’t find any in hibernating. your area? Why not start one of your own with your

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Indoor Exercises to Get You Moving This Winter

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Winter is a time when we all want to snuggle down and veg out in front of the fire. Although it’s winter, though, it’s important to stay focused on your fitness goals. With the colder weather making it difficult to exercise outdoors, it may be time to move your workout indoors.

Try one of these indoor exercises to stay on your path to fitness.

Indoor rock climbing.

This challenging exercise is perfect for building strength and strategy.

Indoor rock-climbing facilities offer safety mechanisms to minimize any risks so you can try different paths according to the difficulty level.

Indoor rock climbing is a great option to get fit while having fun.

Indoor swimming. Take your summer fun exercise staple indoors. Indoor pools let you take laps.

Swimming is low impact and easy on your joints and bones.

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Kickboxing. This form of cardio exercise is a calorie burning powerhouse.

Kickboxing classes can be found at most gyms or through video online. They help you build strength and endurance.

friends, and set up a dance party. This cardio workout can be done anytime, without an official dance studio.

Jumping rope. No special equipment is required for this fun activity. All you need is a jump rope and a place to jump to begin getting your blood flowing and your heart rate up. Check out plans online for different types of routines. Most start with jumping rope for 10 seconds several different times and jump up to jumping for 5 minutes continuously.

Racquetball. This alternative to a treadmill workout has you dashing around the court and taking shots to win the game. As with any cardio workout, don’t forget to warm up and cool down.

Laser tag. Laser tag is a fun way to get your workout.

The upper body workout comes from lugging around the laser tag equipment while a cardi workout comes from the running around.

Yoga. A fitness staple for many years, yoga affects both your physical and mental health. It helps you tone your muscles and become more flexible.

As you move, you’ll learn breathing techniques that allow you to relax.

Dancing. Put on some dancing music, grab some

Indoor sports league.

Join a n indoor sports league to work out with friends. Play sports you already love or learn to play something new you’ve always wanted to try.

You winter fitness goals don’t have to involve working out in the cold or be put aside until spring. Any of these fitness activities will get your heart rate up and your body moving while having fun.

10 Tips for Losing Weight During Cold Weather

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As the weather turns colder, our bodies crave warm comfort foods and fats.

Eating healthy fruits and vegetables because fresh produce isn’t as easily to come by. We begin to slow down, not being as active outdoors. With the shorter, darker days of winter it becomes harder to lose weight.

when the temperature begins to cool. Instead of sugary desserts, opt for healthy vegetables like beetroot, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins. Roasted 1. Eat foods that are in apples, bananas or baked season. pears satisfy your craving This includes dense root for sweets when drizzled vegetables, hearty greens with hone or sprinkled and quality meats. Prepare with cinnamon. these good-for-you foods in healthy ways that 5. Consume cold water. benefit your body.

Drinking liquids colder than your core body 2. Focus on using the temperature, your body good fats. works to warm it up Cook with causing you to burn extra monounsaturated fats, or calories. the oils made from nuts, 6. Get more sleep earlier. olive oil and avocados as well as polyunsaturated Go to sleep earlier in the fats or walnuts, fish like evening when it’s dark and salmon mackerel and wake up earlier to daylight herring and sunflower whenever possible. seeds. Stay away from Getting more sleep also hydrogenated and trans helps you stay away from fats found in processed late night snacking. foods.

Here are 10 tips for losing weight during cold weather when all you want to do is hibernate.

3. Continue your fitness 7. Eat soup as your by working out at home. entrée.

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There are many types of exercise you can do right in the comfort of your home. Find tons of online workout videos including yoga, dance, cardio and HIIT.

Eating soup or salad with your meal helps you consume up to 100 less calories for your meal.

Choose broth-based soups for a less calorie dense serving.

4. Stay away from refined sugars.

8. Order in instead of dining out.

Sweetness cravings rise

When people order their

food to be delivered or picked up and eaten at home, they often choose lower calorie meals than if they sit down and order immediately at a restaurant.

9. Bulk up on layers.

The bulky restricting layers you wear in winter to keep you warm but the extra weight amps up your strength training and resistance with every step you take.

10. It’s fine to treat yourself from time to time.

But don’t reach those sugar laden high calorie treats. Instead opt for lower calorie, sugar free desserts that satisfy your desire for a treat. Try a piece of dark chocolate when you crave chocolate.

Eat in moderation sugary treats but only occasionally.

You don’t have to give up on keeping fit and healthy during the winter. Simply follow these ten tips to help you stay on track with your weight loss goals during the cold winter months.

Layering Tips to Dressing for Winter Fitness

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extremely cold out.

One rule for cold weather activities is to dress for the temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees warmer than what the thermometer says. This is because you’ll be generating some heat as you move.

Being overdressed is almost as bad as being underdressed.

Cover your head and ears with a hat made of polyester or elastanebased material to shield against the wind. Your eyes and skin need protection as well. The Avoid any fabrics that reflection of UV rays on contain rubber or a plastic snow can be harmful and base, as these don’t blinding. A good pair of breathe and prevent sweat sunglasses and sunscreen from evaporating. Choose are necessary. micro-fleece or thermal.

First, check temperature and the wind chill factor.

Once you’ve made sure the wind chill isn’t too low, decide on what you will wear. Outdoor winter exercise requires layering.

But not just any layers. The steps below will help you determine what you need.

Step 1: Base layer is the one next to your skin.

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Step 5: Protect the extremities as well.

You’ve set your fitness goals to include some great outdoor exercise this winter. But the cold can derail us if we don’t prepare by dressing in layers. Planning ahead to make sure you’re dressed for the cold and have the right gear is necessary for safe winter fitness.

It should be light, soft and moisture wicking. Choose a long-sleeved shirt, and tights for your legs if it’s

Step 2: The mid-layer is the one that will be keeping you warm.

This layer should contain down or synthetic insulation for really cold weather, or a layer of fleece for milder temperatures. Look for items with ample ventilated openings like zippers and mesh sides to help regulate your body temperature.

Look for socks made from materials like drynamix or mohair while avoiding cotton. Your shoes need to be water-resistant, breathable and have a textured bottom for good traction.

Consider a facemask or scarf wrapped around your mouth for extremely cold temps. Your hands need protection with reflective, moistureThis layer should be wicking gloves. This keeps waterproof and windproof them dry and warm. but breathable.

Step 3: The outer layer is what keeps the precipitation off your mid or insulating layer.

Step 4: Opt for fleece lined pants to keep the legs warm and cozy while exercising.

Choose ones that allow ease of movement.

Being prepared before you head outside in winter to exercise will keep you warm, dry, and safe. Dress in layers according to the temperature, wind chill and moisture content in the air.

How to Exercise Even Though You’re Out of Breath Right Away

If it has been a while since you last exercised and you are now out of shape, it is perfectly normal to be out of breath when you start up again.

Your cardiovascular and respiratory systems have gotten used to a certain level of daily “work” and now you are taxing them to do more than they are used to by exercising. It is going to take a while for them to respond to the extra strain placed upon them.

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So scientifically, why are you out of breath?

When you exercise, you are challenging muscles throughout your body to respond. They sense the additional strain and signal the body for more oxygen and nutrients that can be used for energy to power them. The only way you can push more liquid through a pipe is to increase the pressure forcing the flow. Your heart rate increases as a response to the request, thus increasing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the cells through a more rapid heartbeat. The lungs respond by increasing your breathing rate to get more oxygen into the blood and the wastes from the cells back out.

So now that we know the science behind why you are out of breath, how do we deal with it? Time and patience.

Time

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It takes time to work up to a level where you are not entirely out of breath – gasping if you will. However, it is normal to have an increased breathing and heart rate when working out. With that said, you should still be able to carry on an

abbreviated conversation get to the point where you while exercising once your can exercise without being body has acclimated to it. out of breath right away.

However, you don’t want After having a full physical to overdue it either. Keep exam by your doctor, start track of your target heart out slowly. For example, rate. walk/run as far as you can the first time. Next time set Target Heart Rate (THR) your goal to go farther in the same amount of time Your THR is a range of requiring you to walk/ the number of beats run a little faster than you per minute that you did the time before. Each should stay within when time you do this, you exercising. To figure out increase your stamina and your THR, you must first your body won’t hardly know Maximum Heart recognize the additional Rate or MHR, which is demand being placed 220 minus your age. Now on it, meaning it won’t take 70% to 80% of this increase your breathing number and that is the and heart rate as much as beats per minute range it did the last time. Keep you should stay within doing this until you reach when exercising. a walk/run goal – time and distance - that you set for For example, if you are 50 yourself. years old, then your MHR would be 170. Your target Patience heart rate range would be 119 to 136 beats per Many times, people who minute (70% and 80%, are out-of-shape, and respectively) . An easy way most likely overweight, try to track your heart rate is to do too much too soon. to take your pulse for 10 You must slowly work back seconds and multiply that up to the level where you number by 6. once were or want to get to now.

By increasing the level of exercise though distance As the old saying goes travelled, time or intensity, “Rome wasn’t built in you can slowly work up a day”, nor should you to a comfortable level expect to get in shape that of breathing and heart quickly either. It will take a rate without being out of few months (or more) to breath right away.