Stand and Shine Magazine Winter 2014 | Page 32

keeping warm You pull on your running shoes, plug in your headphones, open the door, and...brrrrr! No thank you, frostbite. It’s the perfect excuse to skip exercising, right? Well, not for Brandi! Here are some of her tips for winter workouts: choose synthetics Ban cotton from your workout wardrobe. Opt instead for fabrics made of moisture-wicking polyester blends (look for Coolmax, dri-fit, or dri-release on the label). Lately my favorite find (at a good price) is the Layers brand. I've found some great tops that are Quick Dry and keep me super warm. I always like to look at TJ Maxx because they have top brands for low price. You can never go wrong with Underarmour or Nike. warm your middle Keep your midsection toasty by layering a tank top, long sleeve shirt and vest, depending on the temperature. cover your head and hands Nearly a quarter of your body heat escapes from the top of your head, so hats are great temperature regulators (off when you’re hot, on when you’re cold). For your hands, mittens work better than gloves because they allow your fingers to warm each oth er. stay safe Look for workout tops, vests and jackets that have reflective strips on the front and back. Plan to wear reflective gear as your top two layers. Also along this topic, be aware of your surroundings and don't run alone at night.  stay dry For bad weather days, throw on a light wind and water resistant jacket over a short or long-sleeved base layer. Look for a shell with vents in the back and under the arms to pipe out body heat that could trap sweat. 32