The Crazy-Awesome Benefit of Running in Cold Weather

Running in cold weather boasts extra body benefits, according to new research. Here's how to take advantage of the chilly temps—without compromising your safety.

Sure, it's cold outside. But before retiring to the band for his career, consider this: the cold can change the unwanted fat in a type of fat that actually burns calories differently.

Huh? Think of it this way: The fat in your body is not equal. There are white, brown and midtones. White grease is commonly think of when we think of unwanted body fat. Brown fat is metabolically tissue that actually burns calories. There are a growing number of mice recent publications is a scientific study published in Molecular Cell suggests that exposure of the body to cold temperatures makes our white fat to brown.

This means that to run from the winter could not only help burn calories, could change the composition of their bodies. Remember these tips when running in the cold:

Do not expect to set a new PR. "His performance in the cold can begin to decrease as the temperature drops below 40 degrees," says Sean M. Wells, DPT, ATC / L, CSCS, and fitness expert at BistroMD. "Peripheral blood vessels are contract, joints and muscles feel more rigid are more difficult to heat. "

Be sure to warm up. March in place, jumping jacks, or jump for five minutes to get to the heart to pump blood to the muscles. "This will ensure that you stretch a muscle or injure your joints," Wells said.

Dress appropriately. , Layer, layer. "The use of light, loose layers helps retain warm air," suggests Amy J. Derick, MD, clinical professor of dermatology at Northwestern University in Illinois. "The first layer should be made of a synthetic material that wicks moisture away from your body," she said. "The next layer to be insulation (wool and are good insulators and retain more body heat as cotton), and the top layer should be windproof and water."

Cover your members. "The biggest concern in winter outdoor exercise is the risk of freezing," said Wells. Be sure to cover the hands and ears, turns on if your skin starts to itch or feel numb (especially the skin of the nose and chin areas that are most difficult to fill).

Practice preventing slippage. Freezing temperatures and precipitation can do for icy roads and sidewalks. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make sure you stay steady on your feet, says Mike Ross, author of the physiologist balance manual and exercise Gottlieb Fitness Center, part of the Loyola University Health System. First, check the footsteps of his shoes. If worn, your running shoes will not give you the traction you need. Second, have a plan. Consider what would happen if you dropped anywhere on the road. You can get help? If not, draw a safer and make sure you take your cell phone alternative. Finally, slow down. Try going to a normal rhythm when frost, pushes his sense of balance.