It's getting a bit chilly!.......

OK so it's getting a bit cold. We've had a couple of workouts now around the 0 degree mark. It's feeling distinctly like winter!

If you're anything like me then on cold, dark mornings when the alarm clock goes off the spring in my step is not, shall we say, springy. The truth is, winter workouts are quite challenging. There are however ways to make winter exercise easier and more fun. I would never want something like the weather to control my exercise or yours. Here's a simple guide to healthy winter exercise.

1. Don't overdress. You don't want to be too warm when you leave the house. Aim for a balanced approach to dressing that will leave you warm, but not so hot that you start sweating a lot. Have a layer you can take off after you warm up.
2. Protect those extremities first. Keep your head, hands, ears and nose protected. The extremities are the most exposed to cold and wind.
3. Become a well-dressed runner. In cold weather, the secret is to layer lightweight garments so the clothing works together to keep you dry and warm. High-tech materials like polypropylene and polar fleece are designed to keep body temperature steady, while wicking the moisture away from your skin to the surface layer of clothing. Because these fabrics "wick" rather than absorb moisture, your clothes don't get soggy and heavy as you sweat.
4. Dress flexibly. Put on your hat and zip up your jacket when you're heading into a cold wind. Take the hat off and partially zip down the jacket when the wind is behind you. The difference can be dramatic.
5. Your feet and legs are too busy to get cold. Your legs need much less protection than your torso.
6. Don't take chances. Don't tempt fate by trying to run hard and fast in difficult weather. Sometimes ice coupled with the dark can make for a deadly combination.
7. Find a friend. It's much safer and more fun to train with your friends in the winter. Everyone has trouble leaving a nice warm bed. But, if you know that someone is waiting for you, it's much easier to get motivated. It is also much safer in case someone should get in trouble.

Sounds like the perfect time of year to join the GALE FORCE WORKOUT!