Related stories and tips
In the cold winter months, being active is important not only for fitness but also in fighting off colds and flu. Proper nutrition and hand hygiene also can help keep the family well this winter.
Avoid the blahs of the same-old-same-old by taking a new exercise class or other indoor workout. Haven't tried yoga yet? Give it a shot.
Winter is a time of rest, but can also be a time of renewal. Here are some tips.
Staying warm is science, experts say. The right jacket or layers depends not just on the temperature but on the precipitation and your activity level.
The goal of layering is to allow the active wearer to peel off a coat or sweater and let out some heat but not all of it.
Learn to recognize and prevent these two cold weather dangers.
On the Web
Monday, November 8
Make each layer of clothing work
Lansing (Mich.) State Journal
Layer 1:
A cotton T-shirt is a poor choice for staying warm. Perspiration will compact the fibers, significantly reducing their ability to trap air that your body has heated. In addition, the loose-fitting fabric allows too much movement of air. Heated air will leak out as the material flaps around. A better choice: a synthetic-fiber shirt that is fitted but not skintight. Remember, the goal of layering is to allow the active wearer to peel off a coat or sweater and let out some heat but not all of it.
Layer 2:
A fleece sweater offers a much-needed layer of warmth by trapping air. An added advantage is that it is not attached to the outside coat, so the coat can be removed without having to remove the fleece sweater. Another good option: a wool sweater.
Layer 3:
A fleece zip-in lining is convenient because it can be removed and replaced by a lining of greater or lesser weight. One disadvantage: If you want to remove only the outer shell, you have to stop what you're doing, take off the entire coat, unzip the lining and put the lining back on. At that point, you may have lost so much heat that you'll want to put the shell back on.
Layer 4:
A waterproof or water-resistant shell is an essential layer for anyone active in snow sports. Look for one that offers sealed seams and protective flaps over zippers to keep wind from leaking through. Also, look for a shell with underarm zippers. They can be unzipped to let heat escape, without having to abandon an entire layer. One added advantage of a shell with a zip-in lining: It has limited movement between the two layers, which means heat is less likely to seep out.
On the Web:
Explanation of layering
NEWS SERVICE MULTIMEDIA 
