Cold weather exercise burns more calories

 

Everybody knows that exercise is essential to keep us healthy. It lowers the risk of heart disease, and helps us to maintain a healthy weight. It also reduces stress and makes us happier. Doctors say that exercising in cold weather is even better for us. Going for a jog or even a swim when it's chilly or freezing outside has extra benefits for our physical and mental health. The reason for this is that the cold gives our heart a more energetic workout. Dr Angela Pepdjonovic, from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, explained why. She said: "Your heart has to work a little bit harder to pump blood around your body…in the cold. This can help to boost your endurance over time."

Dr Pepdjonovic said cold-weather workouts can help the body burn calories at a faster rate. She said: "As your body is required to work harder to maintain its core temperature, you actually increase your calorie burn by exercising in the cold." Physical activity in cold temperatures can boost our metabolism, which helps us lose weight. In the cold, our metabolism slows down, so we can preserve fat and keep warm. Another benefit is that being in natural light helps to reduce our stress. This is especially so for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.). This is a type of depression caused by the shorter, darker days of winter. It is more common in people who live far from the equator.

1. THE COLD: Students A strongly believe that the cold is good for us; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Explain.
2. EXERCISE: What do you think of these forms of exercise? How good are they for us? Complete this table.

	What is your opinion? Your experience?	What are its benefits and potential risks?
Jogging
Swimming
Weight training
Cycling
Dancing
Walking Football

 

3.Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

1.	essential	a.	Something good that happens as a result of something else.
2.	risk  (noun)	b.	To keep something (or keep doing something) the way it is now.
3.	maintain	c.	A chance of something bad happening.
4.	chilly	d.	The ability to continue doing something for a long time without getting tired.
5.	benefit  (noun)	e.	Very important; something you cannot live or be without.
6.	boost  (verb)	f.	A little cold.
7.	endurance	g.	To increase something quickly; make something much better.

    Paragraph 2

8.	workout	h.	How fast or slow something happens.
9.	rate  (noun)	i.	The process in your body that turns food into energy.
10.	core	j.	The imaginary line around the middle of the Earth.
11.	temperature	k.	The central or most important part of something.
12.	metabolism	l.	A feeling of sadness that lasts for a long time.
13.	depression	m.	How hot or cold something is.
14.	equator	n.	A period of exercise that you do to stay healthy.

 

4. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1. essential
2. lowers
3. chilly
4. workout
5. endurance
6. burn
7. boost
8. preserve
9. type
10. far

1. increase
2. cold
3. exercise session
4. kind
5. use up
6. necessary
7. stamina
8. a long way
9. reduces
10. conserve

5.Role play

Role  A –Jogging You think going jogging is the best thing to do in the cold weather. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their activities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these

Role  B – Sleep You think sleeping is the best thing to do in the cold weather. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their activities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):

Role  C –Shopping You think going shopping is the best thing to do in the cold weather. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their activities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):

Role  D – Study English You think studying English is the best thing to do in the cold weather. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their activities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):   Role  E –Hiking You think going hiking is the best thing to do in the cold weather. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their activities. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):   OR Watch a movie Insulate your home

6.Discussion - Cold Weather Exercise

1. How much exercise do you get?
2. How essential is exercise to keep us healthy?
3. What does exercise do to stress?
4. Do you prefer exercising in winter or summer?
5. What do you think of swimming in cold weather?
6. What do you do to look after your heart?
7. How often do you think about calories?
8. How can you boost your endurance?

11. What kinds of exercise would you like to do?
12. How does exercise make you feel?
13. Is it better to control calories by exercising or dieting?
14. What do you know about the metabolism?
15. What do you think of shorter, darker days?
16. Would you prefer to live close to or far from the equator?
17. What questions would you like to ask the doctor?