Winter Weather Wear

With the weather starting to turn cold, you can still exercise outside, you just need to have the right gear on.  Here, I am an underarmour beenie hat on that helps keep moisture off of my head when I am sweating, and helps to cut down on wind penetration.

The jacket is a goretex jacket, which when it is cold, and especially middle of winter, I won’t go outside to exercise without it.  It blocks the wind, yet breathes, so when I am sweating, it helps keep the mosture off of me to prevent staying cold.   The mittens I have on are also goretex, and keeps them very warm. 

The winter tights work well to about 20 degrees, then the goretex pants go on, for the same reason as with the jacket. 

The biggest thing to keep in mind is dress in layers, and have the base layer that is next to your skin be of a material that will help keep the moisture off of your skin:  underarmour, polypropylene…not cotton, as this keeps you cold and holds the moisture against your skin, so you lose heat faster. 

Remember, you can still exercise outside when it is cold, either running or walking, but you need to be smart, and dress appropriately.

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1508

Changes of the Season

Well, with the wind picking up, and the temperature dropping, the leaves off the trees, the signs of Winter are approaching.  Does it mean you have to stop exercising?  NO!  But it does mean you have to start making some accomodations, and being smarter about what you are going to do for exercise, and where.  Right now, I just have to dress more appropriately, but I am still thrilled I don’t have to contend wtih snow yet.  So, there are some good points afterall.

I will be the first to admit, it is not as motivating to go out when it is cold, and your usual routes/path are not as interesting to look at.  So, start being creative.  What are you going to do different as we approach this Winter season?  Sitting on our butts is not a good choice.  I think it may be time to once again have some posts about more appropriate clothing to be wearing, and how we can handle the cold better.  Plus, as usual, just trying to keep us all motivated to keep moving.  Enjoy the next few days.  We are supposed to get us to the mid 50’s yet, so take advantage.  Keep moving, and enjoy the weekend.

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1505

1500 and counting!

Well, today I hit a mile stone.  1500 consecutive days of exercise!  I would have never believed it was possible for me to do.  The thing is, it is now such a habit, I do it without thinking.  I put in my run this AM already, then took Buddy for a walk.  It is now routine.  I don’t know how long this streak will go, but I at least don’t see it ending any time soon.  Take care of yourself, and remember whatever goal you set for yourself…keep it managable, keep at it, but enjoy it and have fun along the way.  That is what life is all about.  Have a great weekend everybody.  Keep exercising!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1500!

Halloween Hustle Fun Run “Incredible”

Well, the Halloween Hustle Fun Run yesterday was a lot of fun, and great weather.  It was in the mid 30’s, but very calm.  Very good day for a fun run, walk.  Here Sarah and I are in are costumes, as we went as the “Incredibles”.  Everything for the run, day, event was “Incredible”, and everybody there had a good time.  The Jolly Green Giant showed up, and we found “Waldo”, as well as several other super heroes, to name a few.

Molly agreed to wear her costume, here with Sarah, but we could not convince Nick to wear his.  He was too serious yesterday, and really wanted to try and win the race.  He achieved his goal, winning the race, with a time of 18:46.  All of us had a fun morning, and was a great way to spend the day as a family.  Following this, Sarah and I went back to the pool for Megan’s swim meet.  All of us were busy this weekend!

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1494

Halloween Hustle

Hey everybody…this coming saturday is the 2nd Annual Halloween Hustle fun run.  You can run, walk…wear a costume if you like as they are giving prizes for the best costumes in several categories.  10 AM start time.  Come have some fun…The Reiffenbergers are dressing up as the super hero family, The Incredibles!  Will show pictures from the race this weekend. 

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1491

Why I Exercise

I often get asked by patients, not only how I find the time to exercise, but why do I exercise?  By the end of each day, the answer becomes easier.  This weekend was a perfect example of that. 

First, on saturday, there was the State Cross Country meet in Sioux Falls.  Here Nick is competing, and for a 9th grader on varsity, does very well.  The weather was perfect, and I did a lot of running just to keep up in order to take pictures.  Then when this was done, it was back in the car to go home and make it to the school in order to see my girls at the annual TUCKS dance, which they have been planning for months.

We got back in time to be able to take pictures quick before the grand march and presentation of all of the couples.  The girls were very happy that we got back in time for this.

So why do I exercise?  I have too many things to do and see in regards to my kids.  I want to be around for a long time and be a part of their lives, and participate in those activities.  I want to be healthy enough to be around for them.  These are some of my main driving forces, the things that keep me motivated and enthusiastic about my health, and my daily exercise.  I am staying in shape, and feel better, but the bottom line is I am doing this for my kids and my family.  Hopefully they will be stuck with me for a long time.  I, and they, would not want to have it any other way!  Have a good week coming.

Dr. Dan

Consecutive Exercise Day #:  1487