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CNN Sunday Morning

Are Your Winter Workouts Safe?

Aired January 27, 2002 - 08:28   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN: If you've already broken your New Year's resolution to lose some weight, don't fret. You're certainly not alone, and there is some hope. As CNN's Liz Weiss explains, adding a little fun and cool weather to your workout just might get you back on track.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LIZ WEISS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hockey 101 at Boston University includes a stretch on the ice.

BARBARA PINCH, COORDINATOR OF SPORTING EVENTS: We always let the guys stroke out, really get the body warm, almost on the verge of sweating, and then we start the stretch to get those muscles ready to work out.

WEISS: Cold muscles are more prone to injury.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You should stretch longer because it takes a little bit longer for your muscles to loosen up and to warm up when you're exercising out in the cold.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So how far do you want to go?

WEISS: Registered dietitian Janice Bissex says it's also a good idea to eat something before you head out into the cold.

JANICE BISSEX, REGISTERED DIETITIAN: When you eat food and digest it, you actually generate heat, which is helpful when you go out to exercise you stay a little bit warmer.

WEISS: And don't worry about all those extra calories because it actually takes more energy to exercise when it's chilly outside.

BISSEX: In one study, runners who ran outside in the cold weather burned 450 calories in an hour, and when they ran in more moderate temperatures, they burned only 400 calories.

WEISS: Downhill skiing also burns about 400 calories an hour, while cross-country skiing, hockey, and snow shoeing are even more intense at 560 calories.

(on camera): Besides the extra warm-up and stretch time in winter, cold weather workouts also require extra attention to hydration whether you're out on the ice, out for a jog, or spending time on the snow.

(voice-over): Even though you may feel thirsty, perspiration and the dry frigid air can still cause your body to lose a lot of water.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's cold and dry, you use more fluid just by breathing. That's especially true at high altitudes where the air is even more dry, there's a lot more water loss.

WEISS: So with some extra planning, there's no reason to sit inside when the winter breezes blow. I'm Liz Weiss.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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