PUBLISHED 12/05/2006
No, unfortunately running when temperatures are low is not an effective strategy for upping your caloric expenditure. Studies suggest that shivering burns more calories, but if you're dressed adequately when you run-and you should be-the rapid rise in body temperature that occurs when you start running keeps you from shivering within a few minutes. There is, however, evidence that athletes take in more calories after cold-weather workouts, possibly because food helps warm us and because our appetites wane in warm temperatures. This is one reason we tend to put on a few pounds of winter weight. The solution, of course, is to keep up your running and be conscious of what you eat afterward.
-Cindy Dallow, Ph.D., R.D., is a Colorado-based marathoner and nutrition consultant (see www.partnersinnutrition.com).
