FitSugar

Gear Review: Mizuno Breath Thermo Tights and Crew Top

Leta Shy — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:29:16 PST

San Francisco may not have arctic weather, but running in the Winter still calls for a few layers, or at least gear strategically designed to keep frosty temps at bay. Enter the newest offering from running company Mizuno: its Breath Thermo line of zip-up jackets, tops, and tights designed with snowy weather in mind.

Thin and lightweight, both the Mizuno Breath Thermo Layered Running Tights ($75) and the Mizuno Breath Thermo Running Crew ($60) have a secret - they're made of material that both absorbs sweat and converts it to warmth using the company's Breath Thermo technology, so you stay dry and warm at the same time.

Once the evening temps hit the 50s, I took these out for a spin. I loved the tights the instant I pulled them on; they felt cozy and soft without feeling constricting, and they have well-thought-out details, like zippered calves for easy on, easy off, a small back zippered pocket for cash and ID, and an inside pocket for a key. Also, the strategic stitching and seam design give the tights a flattering fit as well - an important aspect to consider when you're running around town in leggings!

Find out what I thought about the Breath Thermo crew top after the break.

Reasons to Keep Running in the Cold

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:33:17 PST

If chilly weather has moved into your neck of the woods, it can be downright uninspiring to keep up with your running routine. Here are three compelling reasons you should keep running in the cold weather.

Cold and Flu Prevention
Huffing and puffing regularly gets your heart pumping, which transfers oxygen to your blood and increases your body's natural virus-killing cells. Plus, getting fresh air not only gives you a break from the cold-causing germs found indoors, but it can also strengthen your immune system.

Cheaper Than a Gym Membership
Many people trade in outdoor runs for a membership to their local gym. You'll spend about $30 to $60 a month (or more!) to use the treadmills or ellipticals. Save some dough by using the free roads and trails in your neighborhood. Aside from not costing you a dime, you'll also avoid germs found at the gym and in the locker room.

Continue reading to find out why running in the cold is perfect for this time of year.

Snow Chains For Your Shoes: STABILicers and YakTrax

FitSugar — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:00:33 PST

If you bundle up in the right gear, running in the cold can be fun and invigorating. There is the minor issue of all that snow and ice on the running path though. If you don't want to ruin a pair of sneakers by adding screws to the soles, try something less permanent like YakTrax Pros ($30) or STABILicers ($40). Think of them like snow chains for your shoes: the rubber grippers slip easily onto your existing shoes and help provide stability and traction so you won't slip while running in snow and ice. And, unlike screws, they can be taken off easily. We've tested them in Vermont, and our friends, who live in Omaha, Lake Tahoe, and Virginia, swear by them.

YakTrax have rubberized bands that allow for more flexibility in your foot, which offer more comfort and control, and they're also cheaper than STABILicers. But, YakTrax may not stay on your sneakers as well as STABILicers do. STABILicers are more like a semi-permanent cleat that fits snugly over the sole of your shoe. Just remember: whichever kind you choose, they're only meant for running on lightly snowy surfaces or where there's visible ice - these will not work on black ice. If you prefer the extra workout of running in deeper snow, attach them to waterproof trail runners or running boots instead.

Cold Weather Tip: Warm up Indoors

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:00:00 PDT

I don't know about you but working out in the cold can sometimes be uncomfortable because it makes my muscles extra tight. What helps me is to warm up inside before heading out into the chilly weather.

Before a run or bike ride, I do about 5-10 minutes of light cardio inside. Jogging in place, jumping rope, or going up and down my stairs is just enough activity to loosen up my body and get my blood pumping. When I get outside, it's less of a shock to my system. If you'd rather do your warm-up exercises outside, a hot shower is another great way to loosen up your muscles before a cold weather workout.

DrSugar Answers: Do I Burn More Calories Running in Cold Weather?

DrSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 04:30:00 PDT

DrSugar is in the house and he's answering your health questions.

Dear Doc Sugar,
As the weather heats up, I am wondering if I burn more calories running in the Winter when it is chilly or when temperatures are much, much higher? It feels much tougher working out in the cold, but is that just psychological? I have also heard that sitting in saunas raises your heart rate and therefore burns calories. Is that true?
- Climate Concerns

To see what DrSugar has to say about your caloric burn in hot and cold temperatures,

read more. It is true that different temperatures can affect your metabolism and lead to changes in calories burned. This effect is most dramatic at very cold temperatures when we shiver. Shivering alone can actually burn up to a few hundred calories an hour, but this effect of cold temperatures on metabolism is only significant if you’re actually shivering. It would have to be very cold to shiver while jogging, because so much body heat is generated from your exercising muscles. You will notice that sometimes you sweat less when jogging in the cold because the ambient temperature is keeping you cool. Very hot environments, like saunas, can slightly increase your body’s baseline rate of calories burned, but it’s not dramatic. As discussed in this LA Times article, researchers have found that sitting in a hot tub burns slightly more calories than sitting on the couch, and we can extrapolate that a sauna would be similar to a hot tub. It is estimated that someone would burn 34 calories sitting in a hot tub for 20 minutes versus burning 23 calories sitting on the couch for the same amount of time. This is not a significant number of calories when you consider that walking for 20 minutes burns 100 calories. The long and short of it is that temperature extremes can affect calories burned, but not dramatically unless you are shivering for long periods of time. Have a question for DrSugar? Send it by private messaging me here, and I will forward it to the good doctor. DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details. Source

Get Your Butt in Gear: Base Miles Headband

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:30:00 PST

I need to have my ears covered up when I am running in the cold. I can be a little chilly everywhere else on my body, but my ears start to hurt after just a few minutes of running in the cold, especially if the wind is blowing.

My new favorite solution for this problem is the Base Miles Headband ($19) from Athleta. Moisture-wicking and insulating for your long miles in cold weather, this piece is made from lightweight fabric that’s brushed on the inside for maximum comfort and smooth on the outside. What's more? The rollover binding minimizes chafing while the reflective-trimmed ponytail hole holder adds to the comfort of such an important accessory to any winter outdoor workout. Buy it here.

Don't Make These Mistakes When Exercising in the Cold

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:45:00 PDT

When it's cold outside, it's tempting to just throw on a heavy sweatshirt and sweatpants and hit the ground running. Problem is, this could leave us ~~standing~~ running out in the cold, wet and uncomfortable.

To keep warm think about correcting these common mistakes many people make while working out in the cold:

Mistake #1: Wearing jeans or street clothes. Unless they’re waterproof (which most jeans are not) and designed to dry quickly (again, not my jeans), you’ll end up freezing cold and miserable.
Mistake #2: Wearing only cotton. Cotton is great, but not for working out in the cold weather since it absorbs and retains sweat, rain, and snow.
Mistake #3: Not layering clothing. Perfecting the art of layering is key to exercising happily outdoors in the winter. Not sure how to do it, be sure to check out my how to on layering effectively.
Mistake #4: Layering socks. I learned this lesson while skiing and as a kid and the theory is that your feet will stay warmer with more layers, however, you could end up cutting off your circulation in your tootsies and making things much worse (and painful). Instead, invest in one good warm pair of wicking socks.
Mistake #5: Not wearing a hat or gloves. We all lose a good amount of heat through our heads and hands, so keep warm by covering yours up.

Source

Cold Weather Running Gear

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 03:00:00 PST

Don't let the winter chill keep you off of the streets. Running in winter is fun, but you have to dress appropriately. Starting with your feet, because if they are cold you'll be miserable. Wear some ski sock liners made out of poly-pro with wool and/or silk blended in. These will keep your tootsies toasty. If the temperature is lower than 20 degrees, I'd opt for ski socks since they're thicker.

You are also going to want a top and bottom base layer made out of poly-pro or merino wool something that you can move in that also wicks the moisture away from your skin. Cover this up with a thin nylon shell to break the wind and keep you protected from the elements.

Keeping your hands warm is also key, so wear some poly-pro gloves or mittens. Don't forget a hat! A light weight wool stocking cap should do the trick.

Remember that it also takes the body longer to warm up in cold weather so add a few minutes onto your warm up time.

Happy running.

Help me find the some of this gear and come Fit Finding with me.

Winter Running Woe: Numb Toes

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:02:06 PST

If you'd rather skip a run than hit the treadmill, then there's no doubt you're continuing with your outdoor runs even through this brisk and snowy Winter weather. That doesn't mean you're not dealing with some discomfort along the way. I've given you some tips on how to beat burning lungs, but if it's your feet that are bothering you, here are some ways to avoid numb toes.

First, consider your socks. You can't get away with wearing the same thin, ankle-length wicking socks you sported in the warmer months. Splurge on some thicker knee-highs; socks made of wool will keep your feet warm and dry. Be sure your socks aren't too tight as that can cut off circulation (go up a size to be sure). You can also try compression socks to improve circulation in your feet and legs.

If you're already wearing thicker socks, you'll probably want to go up half a size in your sneaks to accommodate the extra fabric. If you don't, the snug fit of your shoe might be the sole cause of your tingling feeling. Choose sneakers designed for colder, wetter weather (think waterproof Gore-tex) to protect your toes from the snow. Tie your shoes slightly looser because as you warm up, your feet will swell, and too-tight laces can cause that annoying numb sensation.

Continue reading for more tips on avoiding numb feet.

Your Winter Workout Woes - Answered!

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:09:05 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Baby, it's cold outside! But for those of us training, sans gym membership, or just yearning for some fresh air, we can't let the chilly weather keep us from an outdoor workout. If you find your morning runs too cold, have achy joints, or just want to make it through a run without wiping out, we hear you! That's why we asked Dr. Scott Weiss, clinical director and owner of Bodhizone Physical Therapy, your burning cold-weather workout questions. Read on below to see how you can have a successful workout no matter what the weather.

The cold weather makes my joints hurt! What stretches can I do before a workout to stop constantly feeling sore?

If cold weather is making you sore, the worst thing to do is go and stretch since you're more likely to pull a muscle or tear some cartilage. In the cold weather, the key is total body warmth. Spend a little more time warming up, by adding 5 to 10 minutes to your normal warm-up routine. Stretching while your joints are warm will then enhance flexibility and range of motion while also reducing your chance of injury.

Sometimes when I go for a run in the Winter, my toes lose feeling. Why is this happening and how can I fix it?

Most of the time numb toes are a minor circulatory or footwear issue. Try making a fist with your toes, or do some calf raises to get the blood pumping. Once you get home, be sure to elevate your feet to relieve the pressure. If tingling persists, it could be something more serious (like frostbite), and you should contact a physician.

I'm terrified of black ice. What are some tips to avoid it?

Make sure you stay focused on the heel contact portion of the running cycle in icy conditions. Oftentimes, we don't think about how we are landing our feet, and if even slightly unbalanced while landing on ice, you risk falling. If you live in an especially icy area, consider trail shoes, which have a better grip.

Read on for more Winter workout solutions from Dr. Weiss.

More from FITNESS:

• Oops-Proof Your Workout

• Immunity-Boosting Tips to Stay Cold-Free This Winter

• Get the 2012 Best Body Ever Plan