3 ms·

Maybe this is too extreme, but starting barefoot running and/or taking cold showers will greatly increase one's cold tolerance.

by marttt 6y ago

Jtsummers 6y ago
I spent my time from age 32-37 exercising outdoors year round regardless of the temperature (in that area, down to 25F for January/February). My body quickly adapted to the colder weather as the seasons changed, and my only change in attire was to go from a short sleeve t-shirt to a long sleeve t-shirt. This year, I've spent almost no time outside since the summer (injury ended my running for a bit) and the winter temperatures are cutting through me (also it's colder here than my previous home, but not so cold as to fully explain the change in my comfort with it). When I wasn't exercising, I found that light (but long sleeve/long pants) clothing was sufficient nearly any time I was outdoors in the winter, even when traveling to much colder places (like the mountains for my friends' annual ski trip). Being indoors in consistent temperatures eats away (or does for me) our ability to adapt to temperature changes. I'm planning to start doing some walks to try and get myself adapted better to these temperatures, and next year plan to spend more time outdoors through the fall (in particular) so that my body properly adapts to the next winter.
idolaspecus 6y ago
I'm interested in the idea of running barefoot, could you share a reference or two?
- marttt 6y ago
  I'm actually more of a cold turkey experimenter. I started running barefoot more consistently only this September (discovered it accidentally on my own a few years ago). But I can state that it has done good to my ruined knees and I'm definitely a lot more resistant to catching colds. I have, however, somehow always loved really cold weather (I'm in Estonia, so winters around -20C are nothing too special here; this year, however, it has not gone below -7C yet. No snow yet, either.) But I do find this guy really interesting: http://barefootrunner.org/winter/wbfr_article_110610.htm http://barefootrunner.org/winter/wbfr_article_110610.htm Also, a random thread on frostbite: https://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/frostbite.1479/ https://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/frostbite.1479/ And another on hookworms: https://old.reddit.com/r/BarefootRunning/comments/14s6m8/learning_about_hookworms_in_college_is_one_of_the/ https://old.reddit.com/r/BarefootRunning/comments/14s6m8/lea...
gwd 6y ago
Honestly, I think that's part of the cause of my problem. For 9 years I spent one weekend outside every month, summer or winter, rain or shine. (Military reserves.) My feet spent a lot of time hovering just above frostbite level. I think the speed with which my body cuts circulation to my feet is probably a learned adaptation from that time period.
- marttt 6y ago
  I know nothing about our body's long-term adaption (maybe you just need another 9 years mostly indoors to re-adapt? :), so this is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Maybe this is too extreme, but starting barefoot running and/or taking cold showers will greatly increase one's cold tolerance.

by marttt 6y ago

Maybe this is too extreme, but starting barefoot running and/or taking cold showers will greatly increase one's cold tolerance.

Jtsummers 6y ago

I spent my time from age 32-37 exercising outdoors year round regardless of the temperature (in that area, down to 25F for January/February). My body quickly adapted to the colder weather as the seasons changed, and my only change in attire was to go from a short sleeve t-shirt to a long sleeve t-shirt. This year, I've spent almost no time outside since the summer (injury ended my running for a bit) and the winter temperatures are cutting through me (also it's colder here than my previous home, but not so cold as to fully explain the change in my comfort with it). When I wasn't exercising, I found that light (but long sleeve/long pants) clothing was sufficient nearly any time I was outdoors in the winter, even when traveling to much colder places (like the mountains for my friends' annual ski trip). Being indoors in consistent temperatures eats away (or does for me) our ability to adapt to temperature changes. I'm planning to start doing some walks to try and get myself adapted better to these temperatures, and next year plan to spend more time outdoors through the fall (in particular) so that my body properly adapts to the next winter.

idolaspecus 6y ago

I'm interested in the idea of running barefoot, could you share a reference or two?

marttt 6y ago
I'm actually more of a cold turkey experimenter. I started running barefoot more consistently only this September (discovered it accidentally on my own a few years ago). But I can state that it has done good to my ruined knees and I'm definitely a lot more resistant to catching colds. I have, however, somehow always loved really cold weather (I'm in Estonia, so winters around -20C are nothing too special here; this year, however, it has not gone below -7C yet. No snow yet, either.) But I do find this guy really interesting: http://barefootrunner.org/winter/wbfr_article_110610.htm http://barefootrunner.org/winter/wbfr_article_110610.htm Also, a random thread on frostbite: https://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/frostbite.1479/ https://www.thebarefootrunners.org/threads/frostbite.1479/ And another on hookworms: https://old.reddit.com/r/BarefootRunning/comments/14s6m8/learning_about_hookworms_in_college_is_one_of_the/ https://old.reddit.com/r/BarefootRunning/comments/14s6m8/lea...

gwd 6y ago

Honestly, I think that's part of the cause of my problem. For 9 years I spent one weekend outside every month, summer or winter, rain or shine. (Military reserves.) My feet spent a lot of time hovering just above frostbite level. I think the speed with which my body cuts circulation to my feet is probably a learned adaptation from that time period.

marttt 6y ago
I know nothing about our body's long-term adaption (maybe you just need another 9 years mostly indoors to re-adapt? :), so this is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.