11 Jan Winter fitness tips Part II: How to enjoy a better experience

Part I of winter Fitness tips gave some important ideas on the right way to dress in the cold.
Today, it’s time to point out keys on how to enjoy a better, safer winter fitness experience outdoors with some more tips.
Drink plenty of liquids – Just because it’s not warm out anymore doesn’t mean you can’t get dehydrated.
For a better workout experience outdoors in the winter, drink water and-or sports drinks regularly. Don’t wait until you feel dehydrated to chug a glass of good old H20.
Wear your sunscreen – Keeping with the “it can happen in winter, too” theme, make sure to put on suntan lotion if you are going to have skin exposed such as your face for any length of time.
You can get sunburned in the winter, too, especially in the higher elevations.
Also wear Chapstick to protect your lips and don’t forget sunglasses or goggles to reduce sun glare.
Know the early signs of cold-weather trouble – Make sure to know the forecast for the day and plan accordingly.
Also, be watching for early signs of frostbite and hypothermia before a situation becomes dangerous.
Early warn signs can include loss of feeling in fingers, toes or face and numbness.
Get indoors right away if you think you’re getting a cold-related health problem and slowly warm up your body again.
If numbness or intense shivering don’t go away, seek medical attention.
Get creative – There are a multitude of things you can do to safely enjoy a wintertime day outside.
Take some time to plan some fun winter fitness activities such as skiing, sled riding, hiking or just going for a jog or walk around your neighborhood. Whatever you do, play it safe in the winter.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com