Hey y’all! I get dozens, sometimes even hundreds, of emails thanks to this blog. A lot of them are press releases and random pitches that just overwhelm my inbox and eventually get deleted.

Over the last few days I’ve gotten several about exercising in cold weather and how to stay fit when it’s cold. Instead of deleting them, I decided to round up a couple and share, in case anyone is planning to exercise a lot during this cold weather/blizzard season!

5 Tips For Running In The Cold

It’s cold, really cold… and there may be snow on the ground, but you still want to stay fit and run. So, how do you do it? Personal trainer and co-founder of HEAT Running, Joseph Phillips, offers these five tips on running in the cold.

1) Wear a hat. Most body heat exits through your head, so stay warm by wearing a hat. If you get too warm you can always remove it and stuff it in your pocket or even hold it in your hand while running.

2) Warmup. Be sure to warm up properly. Pulling a muscle is a very real possibility in the cold, so a good dynamic warmup before you run is important.

3) Layers. Layer up in order to keep warm. Long Johns and long spandex are close fitting and the friction caused by your movement will help keep you warm.

4) Gloves! Gloves are a good idea to help insulate your hands from wind and cold air while in movement.

5) Stay hydrated. Being hydrated isn’t just for the heat. You will sweat in the cold so make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Thanks to HEAT Running for these cold weather exercise tips!

Staying Active and Fit in the Cold Weather

Staying fit and losing weight are among the most common New Year’s resolutions, but also the most commonly neglected. While there are many reasons people neglect their goal to get in shape, working out in the cold is less than desirable for many people. Research shows the weather has a significant impact on Americans’ exercise habits, as Americans typically exercise more in the spring and summer and less in the fall and winter, with the amount of exercise usually dropping to its lowest point each December and slightly improving in January after the holidays.

While running in the cold may not be the most appealing, exercising outdoors regularly in the winter offers many health benefits and can help fight the winter blues. But, with potential hazardous like freezing temperatures and snow and ice, it’s important for fitness goers to take extra precaution when exercising outdoors during the winter.

“For many people, their dislike of the extreme cold temperatures causes them to put their exercise routines on hold during the winter,” said Hugh Sinclair of Shopping Blitz, an online marketplace offering the world’s top brands of clothing, shoes, accessories and lifestyle products. “But, exercising outdoors in the winter actually offers a variety of health benefits, and doing a simple warm up and layering your clothes correctly can make it easy for your body to withstand the cold.”

Mr. Sinclair’s additional thoughts:

• Dress in layers and layer your clothes according to the current weather conditions.
• Do a warmup exercise in your home before heading outdoors to get your blood flowing.
• Be cautious of where you step to avoid ice.
• Know the signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Thanks to Hugh Sinclair of Shopping Blitz for these cold weather exercise tips!