how can i get myself to exercise when it's cold?

slemonfit

this summer i took on regular gym workouts
i'm very sensitive to cold and now, with the weather being colder, i find it difficult to go outside and go to the gym
it just makes me feel sluggish overall
ive been telling myself i need to the gym for 4 hours and still haven't gone yet and part of it is because it's cold outside

tomatoey

Get a really warm coat, warm, waterproof boots, a hat, gloves and a scarf. I invested in a decent coat this year, and it's so much more tolerable than last year (although there isn't a polar vortex this year). Still, we've had some really cold days, and they feel much more doable when you're equipped to face them.

allieallieoxenfree

Can you work out at home? I work out at home like 90% of the time in the winter and 10% of the time in the summer, ha.

slemonfit

well there's a small fitness center in my apartment complex but the thing is that to get there i have to walk outside a while its not too far like 3 minutes but still being cold for that 3 minutes is really discouraging, the thought of going from indoors to outside really cold dressed up in shorts (i can only work out in shorts, i feel restrained running in any kind of pants), and i just cant get myself out the door sometimes. i dont really like bringing a coat because its not that far and there isnt really any place to put a coat (its a pretty small fitness room). i went today, but i still felt cold, i just get dressed in a tank, workout shorts, and i brought a small jacket with me but its still chilly

eagley2j

I counter cold by reminding myself the enjoyment of owning fit body. Grab good warm clothes and keep yourself cozy this winter.

DawnieB1977

Surely you can't stay indoors all the time? You must have to leave for work, shopping etc. Just wrap up warm and go. After a few minutes in the gym you'll soon warm up

snowflake930

Like Nike says, "just do it".
I am 63 years old. I live in Minnesota. In 2014 I have walked out side every day except one (it was -29 below zero, with wind chill in the -70's below). If you dress correctly, it is fine. Motivating yourself to go to the gym should be easy, you are doing this to be healthier, and that is a good thing.

Slinky_BraveHeartBunsOfSteel

Don't go out the house dressed in just shorts then. Wear trousers over them and take them off when you get there. Even if it is a small fitness room, I'm sure you can find a corner to put your stuff.

cindytw

Seriously if you can't even go across a complex there is something wrong. Have your labs and especially thyroid and iron checked. I am way older and hypothyroid and I can go out in the cold just fine with layers. I even get hot!

stephe1987

You just have to make yourself do it every day (or at least 5-6 days a week, taking 1-2 days as rest days) whether you feel like it or not.

Think about your goal: to lose weight. Can you achieve that goal without exercise? Technically, yes, if you do a big enough deficit, but you can eat more and lose faster if you exercise, and you'll lose a higher percentage of fat and keep more of the muscle as you lose weight. Remember how you want to look at the end. Who or what is your inspiration? Your health? Your family? A friend or celebrity that you admire? Keep those things in mind as you force yourself to go to the gym on cold days.

I think a lot of people will find more motivation as the new year starts... a new year, a new look, and of course you need to start early if you want to reach your goal by summer. None of the "I need to lose 30+ lbs in four to six weeks" people that show up in May/June/July of every year.

Also remember that the cold season will not last forever. You can look at the weather charts for your area; in my area, for example, January is one degree (on average) cooler than December, but in February it starts picking up again. Just get through the next couple months and it'll get easier again. Sometimes it's easier to get through something difficult if there's an end in sight.

sharonpryke

I find I can put up with some parts being briefly cold if my neck and shoulders are warm - how about snuggling up in a scarf or shawl as you make the dash to the gym? And/or wearing a thermal vest to help keep your core warm?

If you really can't make yourself do it then you need to accept that you don't want to. As someone else suggested do a workout in your own home or wait for the warmer weather.

If you want to do it, you'll find a way.

Medilia

Do some body weight exercises in your apartment?
I do all my weight workouts in my house. Often with just a kettlebell.

Liftng4Lis

Wait, it's too cold to go to the gym OR the one at your apartment complex?? You're basically making excuses not to exercise. Only you can do something about this.

sheepotato

You toughed it out all muggy summer, leaving the gym all sweaty only to be hit in the face with all that hot air? It feels so much better leaving the gym in the winter, you'll appreciate the crisp air on your way back home.

999tigger

I find its the going thats harder. I was going outside in shorts and T short when it was zero and that was a bit too cold. Seriously dont let it be an excuse not to go if you need the exercise and its part of you reaching your target weight. Wrap up warm and realise when you are letting something deter you, then get past it.

Do you want to get fit and lose weight or not?

Coming back is easy because you are warmed up.

BrianSharpe

Move to a warmer climate?

PaulaPalooza

Indoor youtube workout videos. I love them.

randomtai

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

Wait, it's too cold to go to the gym OR the one at your apartment complex?? You're basically making excuses not to exercise. Only you can do something about this.

This...once you quit making excuses, you just do it.

lemurcat12

DawnieB1977 wrote: »

Surely you can't stay indoors all the time? You must have to leave for work, shopping etc. Just wrap up warm and go. After a few minutes in the gym you'll soon warm up

This. I assumed this was going to be about you not being able to exercise outdoors, but seriously, just tell yourself you have to do it like you have to go out to do other things. And wear a coat--like others have said, I'm sure there's somewhere to put it.

myheartsabattleground

Cortneyrenee04

slemonfit wrote: »

well there's a small fitness center in my apartment complex but the thing is that to get there i have to walk outside a while its not too far like 3 minutes but still being cold for that 3 minutes is really discouraging, the thought of going from indoors to outside really cold dressed up in shorts (i can only work out in shorts, i feel restrained running in any kind of pants), and i just cant get myself out the door sometimes. i dont really like bringing a coat because its not that far and there isnt really any place to put a coat (its a pretty small fitness room). i went today, but i still felt cold, i just get dressed in a tank, workout shorts, and i brought a small jacket with me but its still chilly

I don't understand when people give so many excuses. You don't want to be cold, but you don't want to bundle up? It's okay if you just don't want to go. You don't have to work out to lose weight.

I wish I was so close to a work out room. One day you'll probably be much further ban just a 3 minute walk and you'll wish you'd taken advantage of it.

Again, though... Just say you don't want to go and stay inside where it's warm.

cincysweetheart

Excuses. Nothing but excuses. You have a gym membership and you have a fitness center at your apartment complex and you are still complaining about it being too cold to work out? Just be honest and admit that it's something that's not that important to you right now. And that's okay! It's okay to have different priorities at different times. And you don't have to work out to lose weight anyway. But be honest with yourself. If it was important to you, you'd find a way… even if it is cold. Bundle up long enough to get to your car so you can go to the gym… then you can strip down to whatever is comfortable for you to workout in. Guaranteed you won't be cold for long!

Edit for typo

Therealobi1

i work from home and used to actually think i have no time to exercise. I now see i was just making excuses. Hopefully you will realise that soon and just get cracking. You are so lucky to have to walk 3 mins to a gym.

JenniDaisy

it's not because you're cold, it's because you're lazy. Seriously, you can't put on a coat and walk 3 minutes outside?
How do you go to work? or the store?
If you don't want to exercise don't, but stop making rubbish excuses.

MakePeasNotWar

I think I know how you feel about going outside in the winter. I work from home and I literally will go whole weeks without stepping outside Between November and March.

Having a contingency plan for working out inside your apartment will do two things:

1. It will tell you if it's really the cold that's stopping you, or if you just don't want to exercise

2. Assuming it's the former, it will give you an alternative workout for cold days.

I'm sure you can find tons of bodyweight routines on the Internet. Push-ups, crunches, bodyweight squats and burpees are a good start.

If you find your motivation is lower in winter for just about everything (not just exercise), it might be worth looking into the possibility that it could be seasonal affective disorder. It's common and very treatable.

Therealobi1

fitnessblender.com is a great website. this is what i use each day. i think the fresh air will prob do u good though to get out.

kk1084

I'm extremely sensitive to the cold as well. I'm cold in any temp under about 70! I also have Raynauds in my hands and feet, which makes it even MORE fun to be in the cold (ha ha). But I have never let that stop me from hitting the gym or getting in a good work out I find that the regret I feel in NOT getting in a planned work out due to reasons I could have controlled is worse than bearing the cold. If it's important to you, bundle up, hit the gym, sweat a little, and hurry back out to the car and into a HOT shower!

jgnatca

How do you feel after a workout? What is the reward?

jgnatca

Tearaway pants.

tmm_0127

I load up on YouTube workout videos. Don't even have to leave the house!

I'm a shut in. :'D

jgnatca

Here in Canada, 53 degrees north, we have lots of tricks to keep us warm. I say be warm. Also, change in to warm clothes as soon as you return to your apartment. I bundled up in my couch blanket as soon as I got home from my run yesterday.

Fingerless gloves:


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