Suck It Up Buttercup: How To Deal With Cold Weather DE-Motivation
By admin
Happy Motivational Monday!
This picture has nothing to do with today’s post. One of my trainers sent it to me and I thought it was the best way to start any post.
I decided that with the holidays and the cold temperatures hitting lots of the USA, a lot of us are suffering from workout de-motivation. Am I right?
The cold has this ridiculous power to suck out all the heat from our bodies, simultaneously removing our energy and leaving us in a state where all we want to do is sit on the couch with a thick blanket, eat a few holiday frosted cookies (or chocolate turtles in my house) and sip something hot.
Just the thought of working out sends a chill down your spine. You don’t want to have to go change out of your clothes and into your workout attire.
At least that’s me. I personally don’t mind working out in the cold.
Actually, I love it.<— More on that in a minute!
I hate getting ready to workout in the cold. Even with the heat on, during the winter it’s a painful chore to get naked. I think I set a record each morning when I get dressed. My poor husband complains all winter long as I stay bundled up like an eskimo, no skin showing until spring bounces into Charleston. Sorry hubby.
From pajamas to fitness clothes in .5 seconds! Or something like that.
And then there is the after affect of exercising in the cold.
Your sweat works too well at cooling you down!
You’re hot from your workout, a big sweaty mess. That wet mess then just hangs out on your body because it’s too cold for it to evaporate off… like sweat is suppose to do. Sometimes I wonder if my hair will actually freeze.
But guess what? I LOVE working out in the cold. Regardless of these complaints.
But it hasn’t always been the case.
Learning To Love The Cold
In my late teens and early twenties, I was one of those people who could run in the middle of the day during the summer. You know when you drive by people running at 3:00pm and it’s 100-regress outside and you think to yourself how insane and stupid they are?
Yea, you were driving by me.
Those days are gone. Now, I get excited when the temperature reads anything from 40-55-degrees. <– The BEST Running temperature range.
Yes, it might be cold at the beginning. I might not be happy at first, but after 5 minutes of MOVING, blood is flowing, muscles are lose, and my body is warmed up. Its at these temperatures when I feel I can run forever or have the best workout of my life.
And I have one person to thank for this new found cold appreciation… Katie.
My friend Katie just had a baby, but before Elias, she was my running partner (and will be back soon).
We started running together during the spring, made it through the summer and fall and when winter came, I was a bit hesitant about hitting the track when the car read 25-degrees.
Katie is from Oklahoma and refused to accept my “but it’s cold” excuses.
She just rolled her eyes and said “oh suck it up” well, she probably said something a bit nicer but that was a long time ago, and it’s my story so we’re going with it.
I did and from it learned that the cold isn’t all that bad.
Plus, being out int he cold is good for you and your metabolism!
Benefits Of Freezing Your Buns, Hon’
Anyone else singing “I Like Big Butts” now?
Believe it or not, working out I the cold is actually wonderful for the body. Much better than the heat.
Cold temperatures while it might make it harder for the muscles and body to warm up, can allow for so many amazing fitness gains.
- Cold temperatures help decrease inflammation and increase muscle recovery.
- Colder temperatures creates a change in the body which switches white fat (the bad fat) into something called brown fat which is what is used to help keep us warm. It also is very metabolically active, which is why the metabolism experiences a boost when in cold due to working to heat you up. Brown fat is awesome and we want as much of it as we can get! It also helps regulate glucose and insulin. All good things.
- Increased endurance and stamina. When you’re not sweating like a pig and overheated, you might be amazed at how much more endurance you have. This is why so many marathons are held in the fall and winter. Speeds increase, energy increases, overall performance increases.
- Energy boost. Research has found that training in cold temperatures, even for a short amount of time can cause a burst of energy that lasts up to hours after your workout is finished. I learned this after being in the cold chamber. Never had a workout high? Workout in the cold!
Use It As A Way To Heat Up
Last week, the winter finally hit Charleston and me.
My gym doesn’t have heat and I still haven’t remembered to bring my space heater. Which means I froze my ass off every day while working.
Until, I realized I could actually workout for short bursts to make it through the day and stay warm. My exercise was my heater and it made me feel SO MUCH BETTER!
I know that the idea of working out in the freezing cold is terrible, but remember how good you’ll feel once you get going.
I was amazed when I ran the trail race in 18-degree temperatures yet finished wearing a sleeveless top. That was my sign that I’ve learned to embrace the cold.
Of course, before heading out remember to wear layers. You will be cold at first, and then you won’t. You don’t want to turn into a furnace, you want to be an onion and peel the layers off as you go.
So my ultimate tip for cold weather training?
Suck it up, buttercup. <– totally given with love.
It’s amazing how much I used to hate it. Really, HATED IT. Now, it’s not so bad. Thanks Katie.