YOUR LOOK bodysculpting By Dr. Harvey C Jenkins, PhD, MD Defrosting Your Winter Body Keep your body safe and in shape during the cold months by following this Fitness Survival Guide ow you approach your fitness routine this winter like- ly depends on where you live. If you live somewhere like Maine or America’s Northeast, winter is the time you pull out your skis, ice skates and snowshoes and relish the seasonal change like a snow bunny or the abominable snowman. If you live in the South or America’s South- west, winter is the time to retreat to the safety and warmth of in- doors, with even one snowflake setting off a phobia that leads to school closures, work stoppage and, for some, a retreat from your regular workout routine. For many people, no matter what part of the country, winter is the main time of the year when they gain weight and unfortunate- ly store fat. They exercise less, eat more food and spend less time outdoors than they do in the warmer seasons. Regardless of where you live, winter doesn’t have to be a time for your diet and work- out routine to be neglected or sent into hibernation. It does not have to be a time for the physique you have worked so hard to build and maintain to suffer. Winter can be a time when, with some modifications, you optimize and maximize the potential benefits of exercise and the body’s changes in metabolism during the winter season, and propel them toward your advantage. during the winter months. In fact, the level of ATLPL almost doubled in the winter from the value it had in the summer. ATLPL, playfully called the “pudge” factor, is known to work in metabolism by promot- ing fat storage in the “adipose” tissue. This likely has an evolu- tionary benefit and protective value to human beings and other species, promoting survival during the otherwise harsh environ- mental condition. Exercise, as it turns out, promotes the induction of a muscle en- zyme called SMLPL, or Skeletal Muscle Lipoprotein Lipase. This enzyme promotes the catabolism and burning of fat and offsets the “pudge-promoting” effect of the increased ATLPL. This means that people who are physically active and exercise routinely and during the winter months are most protected against the winter weight gain phenomenon. WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR METABOLISM OUTDOOR FITNESS To understand what modifications you need to make this win- ter, it is important to understand what happens to your metabolism during this cold season. University of Colorado researchers con- ducted a study of the metabolisms of 12 women and six men in both the summer and winter months. In their studies, they discov- ered an increase in the production and ‘activity’ of the enzyme ATLPL, Adipose Tissue Lipoprotein Lipase, in these subjects During weather extremes, no one expects you to endanger your health in the pursuit of the perfect physique, but there are some tips you can take to make your workout more effective and, most of all, safe. 1) Wear appropriate clothing. The fabric you wear should absorb moisture and keep your skin from becoming wet from sweat. Joggers should wear bright and reflective colors for better visi- H 122 PAGEANTRY WINTER FITNESS SURVIVAL TIPS Whether you are the ‘snowbunny’ type or the ‘sun-worshiping’ snow-phobe, the winter season can be a time when you can exe- cute a reasonable fitness routine and maintain your competition- worthy physique.