As in our email around periodisation and working with the seasons, this is totally fine and we shouldn't feel any guilt if we do take it back a notch.
However, it IS worth giving it a go and
trying to get those exercise intensity levels up and the very fact we are moving more does tend to spur is on to do more.
I find that the more winters we get out and exercise over the years it gets less difficult dealing with the colder/ wetter/ damper elements.
Some reasons for this could be:
- - better
acclimation to cold
- - more stamina from more activity
- - more efficient digestive system due to better nutrition
- - eating more whole foods...useful energy
- - the more we are outside the more we appreciate the seasons
- - we learn how to dress correctly, and get better
kit
- - running or walking through a dark forest with a head torch becomes fun
- - more muscle, more heat generated
- - we feel really ahead of the upcoming new year health push
Probably the most interesting aspect of getting a good amount of cold exposure is the increase in brown adipose tissue
(BAT).
This is a form of fat that contains, unlike the better known white fat, mitochondria which provide energy therefore can produce heat. It is like an internal insulation jacket.
Notice that some people don't see to feel cold, its because they have been in it more!
Could this be another reason to
get uncomfortable with being uncomfortable?
Not feeling the cold so much could be a REAL advantage!
Just as we know we can train to improve our bodies or eat better to improve our immune systems, we can train our bodies to be less sensitive to cold.
There is something strangely motivating and a real sense of achievement that comes from 'surviving' a run or walk in the cold or being the only family out in the forest for a walk on a really frosty morning.
Hide away from a third of the year or get out there and enjoy it?!
I will share our previous email on making friends with the cold tomorrow.
J
