Ph'ers That Work Outside During Winter

[NordicCrankShaft]

Hi all, I'm about to spend my second Norwegian winter working outside. I've gone from working as a chef in a nice warm kitchen in the UK to working as a carpenter in training here in Norway. Last year the work was a mix between outside and inside work. We had a job on during Dec/Jan/Feb working up in the mountains building an extension onto someones cabin where we would regularly see temperatures of -10 to -18, I have proper work clothes and rain protection but even still I just remember feeling like st for the most part of winter last year, constantly on and off with a cold and constantly aching joints.

So now we're heading into the colder part of the year (this week forcasted morning temperatures of zero degrees) I'm after some tips or ideas from people in a similar situation who've already spent a few years working outside in winter, how do you keep fit and healthy during the winter? What do you do to keep your immune system at the top of it's game?

[Fozziebear]

I tend to eat shed loads of high fat foods, I still train so it doesn't give me to much weight gain. Decent clothes help, good layering etc.

[Saleen836]

To keep warmer have you thought about Wearing tights? Yes I know first reactions are "hell no!" but you would be surprised at how much they help

Edited by Saleen836 on Monday 3rd October 16:22

[Mothersruin]

Effective layering, nice tight fitting merino wool base layers and work from there - make sure your diet is really balanced, don't neglect good old stodge and fats, and have a good multivitamin supplement - Omega 3 supplement can help with joints. You'll get very little Vitamin D during the winter up there. Lots of quality rest always keeps you tip top too.

If you find your knees and elbows really getting tight, have a look at neoprene support type things - even when wet they'll stay warm.

Can you get a flu shot there?

Edited by Mothersruin on Sunday 2nd October 22:35

[Steve H]

Yep, long-johns and lots of layers is the best bet so you can adjust as required.

You do get used to it after a while, I found the first 20 winters to be the worst .