After recently running an ambitious 7.62 miles around Central Park in New York, with 22*F windchill, I was reminded of a few pertinent facts about cold weather and dehydration that most of us underestimate.
We don't generally associate cold weather with dehydration however this condition can happen more easily than I was aware.
Firstly , thirst response is diminished in the cold, so you may be fooled into thinking that your properly hydrated because you don't feel thirsty.
In cold weather, your body also loses water vapor when you breathe (known as respiratory water loss) which can lead to dehydration.
Wearing heavy clothing can keep you warm, but this also makes your body expend more energy, which means you sweat more and lose fluids.
Finally when blood is redirected from the extremities to the core, the kidneys aren't told by hormones to conserve water, so urine production increases.
Here are a few tips for staying hydrated in cold weather workouts:
Wear Layers. Sweat can reduce your body temperature and force your heart to work harder to maintain blood flow and body temperature.
Replace What You Lose. Water exits the body through exhalation, perspiration and urination
Match Your Drink to the Duration of Your Activity.
Hydrate With Room-Temperature Beverages.
MOST IMPORTANTLY STAY WARM AND HAVE FUN AND ENJOY YOUR WINTER WORKOUTS
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