Winter Workouts?

kristen_karg

during warmer weather i LOVE walking outside, it gives me major stress relief. i'm not the biggest gym-goer. i still haven't been able to feel comfortable in a gym. i feel like i need to lose more before i feel good going to a gym. what do you do during the cold months? i want this year to be my year to love my body!

MSeel1984

I ran the other day when we got our first real snow of the season. Added an interesting challenge to my run because the snow was almost like sand texture wise so I was a lot more winded...
I wouldn't mind snow so much-it's pretty, makes my workout harder...but the ice...that's not fun OR safe.

NoelFigart1

Is there a reason you cannot walk outside?

kristen_karg

it's just really cold!

TimothyFish

I live in Texas, so our lows are in the 20s right now with highs in the 30s. That means cycling outside is an option all year. I might have second thoughts if our highs were running below freezing, but I've heard of people cycling at as low as -30. It is all in how you dress for it. With the popularity of fat bikes, I figure some people are glad for the cold.

The great thing about exercising outside in cold weather is that it burns more calories than normal and it promotes the development of brown fat, which continues to burn calories.

yopeeps025

kristen_karg wrote: »

it's just really cold!

Layers and more layer of clothes if it is that cold. Also its the season to help neighbors with shoveling for more activity.

kristen_karg

i live in tn, so we're about in the 20's. i'll try layering up and walking! thanks!

clambert1273

I personally... don't.do.cold.ever there isn't a person on this planet that can make me go outside and do something if the temp is below 70... I wouldn't shovel anything of mine much less anyone else's LOL

I do everything inside right now and will continue doing that... my body temp doesn't regulate that well so people can say what they want about me lol I get laughed at while at work.. I sit with a heater on and I have been known to wear hoodie's in the dead of summer

Rita619

I have a workout app by skimble called workout trainer. It is available on android, not sure about on apple. It has a LOT of different workouts and they are free. There is a pro version too if you'd want to buy it. It has different levels and time lengths so there is no excuse not to find something that works no matter what your fitness level or time available. Another nice feature is that while it is cued, the time between cues is quiet so you can listen to music or do it while watching TV (I tend to do it during the news before work in the morning)

NoelFigart1

FWIW, I am a transplant from Virginia to Northern New England, so I feel your pain about cold.

Layers are the way to go, yes. And 100% wool sweaters. Warm liners for boots. A jacket that can double as a wind-breaker that will cut that icy blast. And a hat. Do not forget the hat.

I do find that if I get my heart rate up properly, my hands and feet are no longer cold after about the first quarter mile or so.

SuckerPunch77

yopeeps025 wrote: »

kristen_karg wrote: »

it's just really cold!

Layers and more layer of clothes if it is that cold. Also its the season to help neighbors with shoveling for more activity.

^this! I live in Edmonton. It was -25 this morning not including the wind chill and I ran. Never thought that would be me. I hate the cold. As long as you layer appropriately, you should be fine! You may even learn to love it as I did!!

MSeel1984

I remember I got into Pilates and Pole dance when the weather got colder. I still went to the gym to use the elliptical and stair machine...I definitely prefer running to all of these things but when there's ice on the sidewalks/trails/roads, it's just not safe.

Jennloella

I love winter! this is what I did today, a little heavy bag and weights by the fire!

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adreal

I have a hard time working out when it is below 20 degress. My asthma makes it very hard to breathe in cold air. But I find that if I layer and then put something over my mouth I can breathe in warmer air and it doesnt bother me as much. But I still choose to work out inside on some mornings when I just don't want to put all those layers on

DaniellaB1995

Try the workouts on FitnessBlender.com I live in the UK and it's about 5C here today but that's way too cold, with the wind for me haha so I stay inside.

Francl27

Last year I was walking. This year I'm going to the gym... it's way more comfortable and I get a better calorie burn!

snowflake930

I live in Minnesota. It has been below 0 F all week, and we have had snow too. Near blizzard conditions yesterday. I still go for a walk when I get home from work. If you dress for it, it really is not too bad (except walking into the wind can be challenging ). If you waited for perfect weather here, you wouldn't be outside very much. Plus it feels really good when you come into the house with a nice fire going in the wood stove. I have to rack up the fitbit steps, it is my personal challenge.

Adc7225

As I was told - 'You will walk faster in the cold!' Of course this is not the case and while I do go to the gym I still walk in the cold. The trick is that you need to wear warm socks, a top that will let your body breath because while it starts out cold your body will warm up pretty good and I since my hands get really cold I also wear gloves - preferable knit so your hands can breath as well.

I haven't been doing very well with my outside activities so far, so I have taken on the 200 mile walk challenge for January - this sort of forced me to figure out what will work for me being outside in the cold. Just give yourself a small weekly challenge and don't be so hard on yourself regarding the gym - trust me no one will be paying any attention to you (that is if they are really there to workout, it's that time of year).

HeySwoleSister

Jennloella wrote: »

I love winter! this is what I did today, a little heavy bag and weights by the fire!

I want to come work out at your house!

And, LOL to those who don't want to go outside when it's below 70. You can all laugh at me in June when I start complaining that I can't work out because IT'S TOOOOOO HOOOOOOT over 75.

clambert1273

lol you probably have a normal body temp.,.. I don't and believe me I hear it all the time people whining about how "hot" it is at 80... I laugh and zip up my hoodie lol

Tedebearduff

kristen_karg wrote: »

during warmer weather i LOVE walking outside, it gives me major stress relief. i'm not the biggest gym-goer. i still haven't been able to feel comfortable in a gym. i feel like i need to lose more before i feel good going to a gym. what do you do during the cold months? i want this year to be my year to love my body!

Just go to the gym, there are *kitten* everywhere you go that's like being scared of going to the mall.

I know the feeling but as someone who's been going to the gym for almost 3 years now like know one cares about your size but you. If you feel like people are looking at you ... odds are he/she is just checking you out ... again no different then the mall.

Ps: I walked into the gym at 355lbs

PPS: If you happen to live in Mississauga your welcome to come with me and my GF to the gym

Jennloella

I think when it's so cold the air hurts your face and lungs it's time to look at other options. I don't really like to be uncomfortable so if it's too cold or too hot I complain. Unfortunately for me I spend my winters in Oregon (17 this morning) and summers in Cali (112 last summer while I was pregnant) I don't know why I can't do it the other way around!!! as for actual suggestions, if you don't have the space for equipment I'd look at DVDs that don't require it like 30DS or some of the beachbody ones........ I also have a pole, it doesn't take up much room, it's fun and is a great full body workout.

dougpconnell219

Have you tried the fitstar app? Mostly body weight exercises you can do at home. It syncs with mfp too.

Oh and i see you live in the same town as me. I like my gym (planet fitness). Nice people, and none of the competative judgy crap you see at some gyms.

segacs

Skiing!

maxit

My outdoor walking has been taking a hit due to the cold, too. I still go out - just for 15-20 minutes at a time and not the 90 minutes at a time I was doing with the dog before the arctic weather came in. It's been below zero actual temp all week, plus wind - I do layer, but there is still some exposed skin on my face. It's also icy and I am old enough to be careful about falls. All that being said, I am accepting that I will log fewer miles outside probably until March at least. So I am eating proportionately. And at least considering dragging myself to the Y~

Will_Run_for_Food

Some of the best at home workouts don't require much or any equipment. Pinterest that ****.

skullshank

youre not too big to go to the gym.
while you may feel like people will be watching, chances are....they wont.

you want this to be the year you love your body?
love it today and go to the gym.

Capt_Apollo

i still run outside. i just dress for the weather.

lishie_rebooted

Go walk around the mall. Leave your wallet in your car if you're an impulse shopper

Liftng4Lis

Bundle up and get outside.