I hope you all have had a wonderful break and have had a chance to acclimatised to winter!
Being acclimatised will mean that Term 3 training will be more efficient and focused on the coming summer – hooray!
Athlete acclimatisation is a real science, with many studies focusing on peak performance training in cold weather.
While many of us are not athletes, a certain degree of athletic ability is required to live an active life.
An interesting study by NASA on “Acclimatization to Cold in Humans” discussed the onset of shivering among different human races as a function of acclimatisation and a means of survival.
In winter, we as humans need to either move for heat or add insulation (fat) to our body to survive.
Our body lacks the ability to hibernate and shivering is a reflex action of muscle movement in an attempt to raise core temperature.
The NASA study discussed the human importance of creating a microenvironment for warmth in winter; that is rugging up!
While adding fat to our body helps keep the cold at bay, it is more beneficial for overall health to exercise in winter.
Cold weather thickens the blood and puts extra strain on the heart to pump. Exercise helps condition the heart for the additional effort in winter.
Further, exercise increases oxygenated blood pumped to the brain and organs, building a stronger immune system and a sense of well-being.
Exercising in winter is a bonus, because even small efforts have significant returns in maintaining healthy weight and fitness.
Therefore, winter is a great time to start a fitness program, particularly if you are self-conscious, because workouts are less intense, with a focus on natural movements that warm the body and soul.
Start your fitness this winter with us and Shape-UP!
I leave you now with thoughts by Joseph Campbell, who was an American mythologist, writer, and lecturer. He wrote about the power of finding bliss.
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.
Live well and eat well
Anna
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