To stay comfortably warm and protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia, invest in some decent cold-weather garb. Ditch the cotton sweatshirt. Get yourself some undershirts and long johns made of polypropylene, a fabric that provides excellent insulation while wicking away moisture.

Top off these high-tech undergarments with a jacket and pants made of Gore-Tex, a breathable yet wind- and water-resistant material. Don't forget a stretch hat that covers the ears. Any warm gloves will do, but polypropylene mittens can be tossed in the washer.

While the polypropylene/Gore-Tex gear should be sufficient for such vigorous outdoor exercises as running, cross-country skiing and snow shoveling, for something less demanding like walking, you might want to add an extra layer, a sweater perhaps, in between the shirt and jacket. Don't over do the clothing thing, though. One of the surprising problems associated with outdoor winter activity is overheating, particularly in people who are out of shape and overly bundled up.

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