So This is How I Feel All Winter Normally?

I was have spent the last 10 weeks staying in a Florida gulf coast vacation home rental (while working) and returned to my midwest home a couple days ago. When I was a young man I used to think that living in Florida would be alright but didn't really see what the big deal was. Of course, I thought who wouldn't want to be there during spring break and bike week in Daytona, and of course in my day the TV show Miami Vice made everybody aware of how cool south beach was. But Florida, or any really warm, year round weather climate, was just another place to live.

Now I get IT.

Being middle aged and spending as long there this winter as I did got my BODY used to the conditions. Now that I have returned to a northern climate (which unfortunately has been unseasonably cold this week) it feels like some one has taken a baseball bat to every joint and muscle I have. This is how I feel ALL the time during winters here?

Spending day after day in temperatures in the 70's and having the sun shine on you for at least some of EVERY day really is good for the body. Not to mention the mind. After my workouts in Florida, I'd leave the gym, take off my shirt and allow the warm sun to help me stretch and meander around during my cool down. But here? I have to bundle up, winter coat, gloves and hat, and still when I hit the cold outside air, everything just tightens up and I can't get "loose" again. Not to mention even in the gyn or inside the house, it just feels COLD.

So how does this pertain to weight lifting and muscle building? Well, I now realize that stretching, flexibility, massage and allowing myself the proper rest is even more important. Plus there is no doubt that you are at a bit of a disadvantage training under these circumstances. All the more reason, if you live in cold weather climates, to take fitness in general and weight lifting in particular more seriously.

Because knowing how these conditions make ME feel? I pity the poor people that struggle to get up a flight of stairs or have to do any physical activity at all (shovel snow?), and have to do it while being over weight, out of shape and lacking the strength and confidence that muscle building provides.