"Humans have adapted to many different physiologic stresses over many centuries, so it makes sense that adipose tissue, or fat, is designed to not only insulate, but to become 'beige' and generate extra heat,” explains study author Philip A. Kern, professor of endocrinology at the University of Kentucky, who analyzed samples of fat tissue of 55 adults for this study. They've yet to uncover the ideal temperatures for white-to-beige transformations, but they do know you don't have to stay out in the cold all day: When Kern's team applied a cold pack to the participants' thighs, their white-to-beige stimulation increased over two and a half times in 30 minutes. "Because we have a lot of white fat, which can become beige, there is a lot of fat-burning potential here," Kern says.
You can lower your energy bill and increase beiging by keeping your thermostat low (in the 60s, say), but the best way to benefit, whether you're overweight or not, is this: Get out of the house. Zip up your coat and take in the winter wonderland (or just the bitter, grey day) on foot. These 3 winter walking workouts should keep you plenty busy all season long.
