LET'S GET PHYSICAL. . . .
The temperature of each body part is directly related to blood flow to that area. When the outside temperature drops your body automatically directs blood vessels near the surface of the skin to constrict in order to redirect blood flow toward vital internal organs like the heart and brain. It is the body's way of keeping vital organs warm and working. Hands and feet, which have many blood vessels at the skin's surface, are particularly sensitive to this process and lose alot of warming blood as a result.

EAT TO HEAT. . .
Eating is another antidote to cold, since the digestion proocess produces heat. Choose something hot. Although the amount of actual heat ingested is small, hot foods and beverages give the nervous system a warmth signal that encourages blood flow to the extremities. Spicy foods will also do this.
While hot coffee and tea may seem like perfect warmer-uppers, caffeine actually constricts blood vessels, making extremities colder. Alcohol is another poor choice when you're chilled. Alcohol is dehydrating and may supress shivering, the involuntary muscle contractions through which the body warms itself. Tobacco also constricts blood vessels and acts to cool the body.

THE ART OF LAYERING. . .
Air trapped between layers of clothes insulates better than a single heavy garment. Here are the basics.
Layer 1.
Start with an undershirt or long johns in fabrics which trap body heat and wick moisture away from skin. Socks should be made of wool or wick-dry synthetics like Coolmax.
Layer 2.
Wear long-sleeved cotton denim or flannel shirts which allow moisture to evaporate.

Layer 3.
Pants and vests made of wool keep body core warm without bulk. Waterproof boots with felt liners or other insulation keep feet dry and warm.

Layer 4.
Choose coats and jackets with fleece linings and outer shells made of wind and water-resistant nylon. Fleece is the fabric favored by professional skiers and mountain climbers because it retains natural body warmth even when wet and has a very high "warmth to weight" ratio making it effective without being bulky.

Layer 5.
Hats and neck warmers go a long way in keeping the entire body warm, since we lose more than half our body heat from our heads.

Do a five minute warm up and then a few light stretches of the working muscles before beginning an activity.  Pulled muscles are more likely to occur in cold weather because your muscles tighten and contract in the cold.  Don't stretch a cold muscle without warming up.

Use all day, air activated, time release, disposable HOT RODS Hand, Toe, Neck and Large Pocket Warming Packs to help keep hands, feet, neck and body warm, even on the coldest days.

Watch which way the wind blows.  Travel into the wind on your way out so you'll have it blowing at your back at the end of your workout-making your work out time a little easier when you're tired and less likely to slow you down.

Exhaustive workouts require advance planning.  Avoid exhaustive workouts because you're more likely to fall when you're worn out.  Landing in puddles or wet snow in freezing temperatures puts you at risk of hypothermia (subnormal temperature of the body).

Take safety precautions.  Exercise during the day when temperatures are higher and visibility is greater, especially, for example, if you run and share potentially icy road with drivers.  If you must exercise in the dark, wear reflective clothing.  All HOT RODS Winter Liners come with a reflective strip in the back.  HOT RODS Winter Liners are available in a wide assortment of styles, each with pockets at ears to hold Hot Rods Warming Packs.

Drink plenty of water.  You can become dehydrated in cold weather if you don't replace fluids.  Dehydration reduces blood flow to the skin which can lead to cold injury, but never drink alcohol.  Alcohol contributes to dehydration and widens blood vessels which contributes to heat loss.  Alcohol also impairs judgement and reduces sensitivity to cold.

Lowers Temperature. . . Increases Danger

You need extra fuel when exercising in the cold.  A good deal of energy goes to keeping you warm.  Bring along high-calorie munchies and stop to snack frequently.

Air Temperature can be significantly reduced by speed of wind.  The lower the air temperature, the greater the effect that speed of wind has on reducing environmental temperature.  This influence of wind speed on air temperature is known as the "wind chill factor".  Temperature resulting from the wind chill factor is known as the "apparent temperature".

Wind compounds the loss of body heat in cold weather and increases the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

When participating in certain activities such as skiing, skating or running, you actually create your own wind chill effect.  For example, if you ski at 15 mph on a 15º F day, the wind chill "apparrent temperature" is effectively -31º F.

Dress and protection against cold weather should be adjusted according to the temperature as well as the wind chill.

Hot Rods Winter Liners protect head and ears from cold and wind.  In fact, Hot Rods Winter Liners are lined at the ears with DuPoint Thermotex, an extraordinarily lightweight fabric that protects against wind, water and cold.  And, every Hot Rods Winter Liner includes specially designed pockets at ears to hold Hot Rods all day, air activated Warming Packs.  Hot Rods Winter Liners, when used with or without Warming Packs, provide exceptional protection against winter's worst winds and cold weather.  Hot Rods Warming Packs are also sold separately.