Tips On Outdoor Fitness Training In The Winter

Any serious fitness and health regime needs to have a high level of continuity throughout the year, allowing that there might be periods caused by illness, holidays or work that makes it difficult. If your personal fitness plan is not carried out as though it is with you for ever, you are likely to swing up and down and around with your levels of general health and fitness, which will call for extra effort to get back on schedule your schedule.

In the northern hemisphere we are just entering the winter months when the light conditions and weather could be used as an excuse to limit your efforts. But if you lower your standards with your diet or fitness plan you will need to put lots more effort come the spring, and importantly in the winter your immune system needs to be strong to resist any ailments.

If a large amount of your training program involves the outdoors; from walking, running and cycling, then the weather could have an influence.

• It will be colder and more likely to rain or snow.


• The conditions under foot could be dangerous, such as ice, sleet and even rain.


• So just wrap up, gloves, scarf, woollens, socks.


• Warm up your muscles and conduct your stretching regime.


• Be prepared to conduct some exercising indoors if conditions outside become extreme.

With your eating plans it is too easy to believe that you will have to dramatically change, because of the season. Which would be wrong, since with fast communication throughout the world there is hardly a day in the year when any food item from the world cannot be purchased locally.

• Indeed if there was a shortage it is more likely to be local produce that might be frozen or waterlogged.


• You will not need drastic change in terms of eating habits does not need to take place, salads can and should still be part of your diet.


• Maintain variety use local in season foods, root vegetables, nuts, game, end of season fruits. Pears poached in red wine, apples baked with dried fruit are examples of healthy but seasonal options.


• For a warming influence try a range stews, but limit calories by restricting the use of oils, fatty meats and thickening agents.

If you are entering the winter with a fit and healthy body, your immune system will give you protection from common winter ailments such as colds and influenza. It will not totally prevent you from catching them, but if it is in a strong state it will fight the seasonal ailments.

If you have been eating well throughout the year there will be no need to take extra vitamin and mineral supplements. There is little evidence to suggest that supplements will prevent you from catching winter colds and flu, but it is felt that having taken your recommended levels of vitamins and minerals throughout the year your recovery rate will be quicker.