The benefits of winter sports

1. It is common knowledge that exercising is just good for you. In fact, it is a must to keep your body in good condition, in combination with healthy and varied food. This allows you to prevent many crazy conditions and diseases. Outdoor sports in the summer is of course absolutely great, especially due to the long evenings and the pleasant temperatures. But exercising outside in the winter also has its advantages over the summer. Let me list the most important advantages for you:

2. It is common knowledge that exercising is just good for you. In fact, it is a must to keep your body in good shape, in combination with a healthy and varied diet. This allows you to prevent many crazy conditions and diseases. Outdoor sports in the summer is of course great, especially because of the long evenings and the pleasant temperatures. But exercising outside in the winter also has its advantages over the summer. Let me list the most important advantages for you:

Preventing a bad (winter) mood

1. If you suffer from depression when the dark days are approaching, then it is a great idea to exercise anyway. Many people suffer from a winter depression: The days are getting shorter, it is cold and dirty outside and you can benefit much less from a nice sun. By exercising outside, your body still absorbs (sun) light, which is fantastic for the production of vitamin D. But the most important thing is the production of so-called endorphins. These are produced by your body as a result of exercise. These endorphins will make you feel good and will eventually completely dissipate the depressions and bad moods.

2. If you suffer from depression when the dark days are approaching, then it is a great idea to exercise anyway. Many people suffer from a winter depression: The days are getting shorter, it is cold and dirty outside and you can benefit much less from a nice sun. By exercising outside, your body still absorbs (sun) light, which is fantastic for the production of vitamin D. But the most important thing is the production of so-called endorphins. These are produced by your body as a result of exercise. These endorphins make you feel good and will eventually completely dissipate the depressions and bad moods.

Exercise gives more energy than it costs

1. It is of course very tempting to stay very close to the heating in winter, comfortably on the couch with a nice glass of wine. Delicious of course, but this literally makes you collapse like a plum pudding. You feel that you have less and less energy, which means that the urge to exercise in the freezing cold also decreases. Still just persevere, because exercising outside ultimately gives back more energy than the effort itself. Then when you come home later, take a nice shower and you will find yourself feeling completely good, with renewed energy to be active again. In the heat, that is…

Increase your resistance

1. If you always sit in front of the stove and don't do sports, you are much more susceptible to a flu, for example. The single time you come out to brave the freezing cold will immediately be an attack on your body, after which you will inevitably catch a cold or get a flu. Outdoor sports will give your resistance a huge boost, making you more resistant to these nasty viruses. Of course you will still have to deal with these viruses, but your good resistance will quickly make short work of them so that you will not suffer from anything.

2. If you always sit in front of the stove and don't do sports, you are much more susceptible to a flu, for example. The single time you come out to brave the freezing cold will immediately be an attack on your body, after which you will inevitably catch a cold or get a flu. Outdoor sports will give your resistance a huge boost, making you more resistant to these nasty viruses. Of course you will still have to deal with these viruses, but your good resistance will quickly make short work of them so that you will not be bothered by anything.

Burning more calories in the cold

1. With the same efforts as in the summer period, you burn more calories in the winter period. It may sound a bit strange, but it is still true. Your body has to work harder to stay on temperature so that the calories leave much faster. If it is great efforts, you have to adjust your diet slightly, otherwise this will not work. But from this point of view, you can also argue that your running session may be a little shorter in winter than in summer, for the same calorie-burning effect.

2. With the same efforts as in the summer period, you burn more calories in the winter period. It may sound a bit strange, but it is still true. Your body has to work harder to stay at the right temperature so that the calories leave much faster. If it is great efforts, you have to adjust your diet slightly, otherwise this will not work. But from this point of view, you can also argue that your running session may be a little shorter in winter than in summer, for the same calorie-burning effect.

In the winter you eat differently than in the summer!

1. In the summer period you eat a lot of light and fresh things such as fruit and salads. But as the days get darker and shorter, more and more kale, crisps and stew are on the table. All delicious, but each one also contains a lot more calories. If you then also stay inside in the winter without moving significantly, it all counts twice as hard. All the more reason to exercise. Exercise is therefore a must in the winter period, and especially with the holidays halfway through, you can ensure that you do not gain unnecessary weight.

2. In the summer period you eat a lot of light and fresh things such as fruit and salads. But as the days get darker and shorter, there is more and more kale, crisps and stew on the table. All delicious, but they all contain a lot more calories. If you then also stay inside in the winter without moving significantly, it all counts twice as hard. All the more reason to exercise. Exercise is therefore a must in the winter period, and especially with the holidays halfway through, you can ensure that you do not gain unnecessary weight.

Heat through better blood circulation

1. The moment you step outside, you might be shivering from the cold. All the more reason to do your warm-up right away and start running. This makes you warm again quite quickly because your blood circulates better. And it is precisely this improved circulation of blood that will keep you warm for a long time, even after you have been home for a long time.

Prepare for the cold

1. Before you even think about exercising outside, for example running, there are a few things you should prepare well. Exercising outside in the winter cold is certainly something different than on a sultry summer evening.

Drink water

1. If you exercise in the summer, so in a comfortable or even warm temperature, you quickly have that thirsty feeling, so you automatically start drinking water. It's a bit different in the winter cold. That feeling of thirst comes a little less quickly, so you're less likely to grab that water bottle or even just leave the water bottle at home. Still, it is important to drink water, even in the winter cold. You are still sweating in the cold, even if you don't notice it. In particular, you lose a lot of moisture around your airways. This has to do with the fact that warm summer air is more humid than the cold winter air.

1. So drinking regularly is the advice. And it makes little difference whether you are working in a gym or running outside. Ideally, you should take at least one sip every ten minutes.

Warming up is essential, especially in winter!

1. A warm-up is important in the summer, but especially in the winter. Due to the outside cold you have to warm your muscles, and above all keep them warm. Would you not do this, then you will irrevocably deal with injuries. You can do the same warm-up exercises that you use in the summer, but take a little more time. In fact, your whole body temperature has to be raised considerably, so that your muscles become warmer and above all more flexible. This also causes your blood vessels to expand, so that the blood circulation has free rein.

Have light meals

1. A widespread misunderstanding is the fact that you should eat more fats when you exercise in the winter cold. While this may sound logical, it is not correct. You just don't need extra fats, at least if you keep moving, eat enough and, of course, dress well. It is more important to eat good carbohydrates. These are necessary for your muscles to do their work, because that is what exercise is all about. Think of potatoes, rice, pasta and grains.

Dress warmly!

1. If you are going for a run in winter, or taking part in any other outdoor sport, it is extremely important that you dress appropriately against the cold. If you don't do this, you will lose far too much energy keeping your body warm. In addition, your body will eventually cool down too much, which increases the risk of injury. The best way is to put on several layers of clothing on top of each other. This insulates the best, and has the great advantage that you can also take some off when it is a bit too warm. By the way, you have to watch out for this, because the sweating and the exertion will quickly make you think that you are hot, but if you take some off, the shock is too great and there is a chance that you will become ill. It is also important that the clothing has the ability to absorb your sweat. If the sweat remains on your body, it will cool down quickly, making you feel cold and clammy.

1. Materials that breathe, insulate and are made from synthetic materials are the most ideal. Take extra protection for the parts of the body that get cold quickly, such as your fingers, your ears and your toes. You can even consider using foot warmers and / or hand warmers.

Much more is possible

1. In all of the foregoing I have assumed that you are going to run. But if you really don't feel like braving the freezing cold, there are plenty of other options too. The most important thing is that you move, move a lot. You can of course also take out a subscription at a gym, or opt for an indoor team sport, or go for a swim in a (nice and warm) indoor pool. And for those who have the money and the space, a treadmill is the optimum of luxury. In a warm space still turn your miles. A great alternative!