Story at a glance
- Many people don’t feel like working out when its cold outside, but it can
provide health benefits. - But “being outdoors simply feels healthier,” says one fitness instructor.
- "Exercising outdoors is a great way to develop physical and mental
resiliency," says another instructor.
If less daylight and colder winter weather have you huddled up indoors under the blankets suffering from the blahs, going outside to exercise could be the prescription you need to boost your mental and physical health. We’ve all heard the studies confirming how getting out in nature and being active are good for the body and soul, but if you need motivation to get moving and spend time outdoors this winter, here is some positive inspiration from our conversations with a SEAL team physical trainer, a world renowned marathoner, a running streaker and polar plunge participants.
SEAL team physical training
At 5:45 a.m., in the quiet of the cold winter morning, a group of SEAL Team Physical Training members meet at one of the green spaces in Washington, D.C., and greet the day with a vigorous workout that includes situps, pushups, running and obstacle courses.
“Being outdoors simply feels healthier,” says D.C. lead instructor Ken Ikeda. “We are out in nature, breathing the fresh air, and appreciating the sights of the city. You find that you can overcome adverse weather conditions. We like to say, that “you can do more than you think you can.” Working out in subfreezing weather helps prove that. We always work on teamwork and supporting each other, so that we have the best possible workout,” says Ikeda.
Founded by former U.S. Navy SEAL John McGuire of Richmond, Va., the fitness training group has hundreds of participants at several locations throughout Virginia including Richmond and Charlottesville, along with Washington, D.C.
SEAL Team PT member Michele Morenza of D.C. says, “Learning to cultivate perseverance at the workout allows you to use it in other aspects of life. One you use those attributes the first hour of your day, you’ll never stop. It’s important because life is full of highs and lows, and you’ll need to be equipped to handle them and everything in between.”
“I think exercising outdoors is a great way to develop physical and mental resiliency,” adds new instructor Daniel Crandall. “Those who attend STPT workouts have a saying, ‘I never regret a workout attended. I only regret the workouts I missed.’ Physical exercise is a known method to reduce stress, lower anxiety and manage depression. STPT’s outdoor workouts are a big part of my self-care regimen.”
In Richmond, instructor Jennifer Gardner leads a SEAL Team PT group on a run along the James River through parks and city streets, while a second group focuses on calisthenics and obstacles challenges. “I feel like most of us are inside at a job or at home all day long, especially with the social media,” says Gardner. “This is a great way to enjoy our beautiful environment,” she says. “We can run; we can jump. It’s almost like being children again. We can have fun with each other while we’re getting fit. We’re all looking out for each other. It’s just a great way to connect.”
Top marathoner
Fifty-nine-year-old Doug Fernandez of Richmond, has run in six continents, including races across the U.S., in all different weather and terrain. Fernandez, who’s known for his marathon accomplishments, has a bio that lists winning the AG (age group) in Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, Philadelphia and Paris; winning a marathon at the age of 54 in Harrisburg and placing in the top 10 in the JFK 50-miler at the age of 57. He trains outside in the snow, rain and heat.
“I believe adverse weather, and particularly cold weather, builds character and discipline, especially this time of year, when we have the tendency to consume more calories than usual,” says Fernandez. “To be quite honest, I don’t love cold weather, but it makes me feel better when I am finished doing it,” states Fernandez. “Not only it is invigorating by keeping your cardiovascular system in top shape, but mentally, it is beneficial in treating those blues that most of us get during the winter, Seasonal Affective Disorder,” he says.
In an article for the American Psychological Association, James Blumenthal, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Duke University, corroborates that, saying, “There’s good epidemiological data to suggest that active people are less depressed than inactive people. And people who were active and stopped tend to be more depressed than those who maintain or initiate an exercise program.”
Fernandez also says adapting to different weather during training gives him a physical edge at race time, preparing him to perform better when conditions at the race aren’t the best. Reflecting on past races that demonstrate this, he says, “Luckily, I had done some training when the weather was bad, so I was able to cope better than most people did.” In addition, he says exercising outdoors is also refreshing in that in allows him to explore a “new landscape, a new city, a new culture or a new natural wonder.”
Running streaker
Neither snowstorms, pouring rain, nor summer heat stop 64-year-old Steve Lerner from running outdoors. The Virginia man is known for his running streak that lasted 10,170 days — that’s more than 27 years and 10 months — of running every single day. He estimates each year he would run up to 3,000 miles. “It’s exhilarating to go out in the elements,” says Lerner. “I thrive in the rain and snow.”
He recalls trying to navigate through deep snow during a particularly strong snowstorm one year. “I was following a snow plow to get my run in,” he smiles. Lerner says his motivation to keep physically healthy by running outdoors comes after his mother and brother died too young from Huntington’s disease; he also appreciates the emotional benefits outdoor exercise provides, especially during early morning runs. “It’s quiet and serene. It’s my outlet. It’s a side of life that can make you happy. I go on a run, whether it’s raining or snowing or 95 degrees, I’ve got that time to myself.”
Although Lerner’s long running streak ended after he was injured, he’s resumed running again. “It’s a positive addiction,” he says. A particularly moving moment for him was during one New York marathon, taking in the beauty of the outdoors. “The foliage, the blue sky — it was like heaven,” he remembers.
Polar plunge participants
On a chilly December morning, the inaugural Richmond Breathwork and Polar Plunge event took place in the James River that flows through Virginia’s capital city. Organizers included Dr. Joe Abretski with Omni Family Chiropractic, along with Alison Hord of Golden Prana Breathwork, who said the polar plunge is based on the idea that “human beings are dynamic, which means we need a dynamic approach to health on all levels — mental, emotional and physical.”
Noting that it’s important to consult with your primary doctor first before trying something like this, Abrekski says, “Having fun is critical to functioning with happiness. When you have stress in your life, it tends to permeate everything. To unwind all that, you need an approach that’s multifaceted.”
There are positive benefits to cold exposure, according to Abretski, and getting outside of your comfort zone can be healing, he says. “A lot of people get stuck doing the same routine and get stuck on a treadmill. Bringing something new to the table is interesting and fresh physically, mentally and spiritually.”
With research indicating that exercising outdoors in the winter can increase the production of calorie-burning brown fat and help boost much needed vitamin D along with improving your mood, we hope you have a chance to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in your area this winter.
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