Winters in Ohio.

WmTasker

So I did a ton of bike riding this summer and fall. Somewhere between 40 and 80 miles a week. Now that winter has started creeping in, I have had to move indoors. I have my bike in the garage on a trainer to ride but it is awful loud. I joined PF to help with weight loss. I try to go 3 days a week. I do over an hour of lifting, run a 5k, and end with an hour on a stationary bike. That usually burns a good 2000 calories. I work in a hospital that has a small fitness center. Some weeks I can't make it to PF 3 times so I go to the fitness center and do 30 mins Dumbells, 5k, and 30 mins in staionary bike. It's hard to get motivated to keep working out without having the nice weather to enjoy. I started out at 250 in July and today I weighed in at 204. I need to keep going so I was just curious:

What is everyone else doing to make it through the winter months?

Thanks
Billy

kshama2001

I joined a gym in late October but it's been incredibly mild here in Massachusetts and I am still gardening and walking, in addition to lifting weights 3 x/wk. I'm going to bundle up and see how much walking I can do this winter.

mylittlerainbow

I dated a guy who lived in Ohio. He walked outside when weather permitted and worked out at the Y every day that he could drive there. Also did some stuff at home, but mainly calisthenics. He maintained the huge amount of weight he'd lost before we met the whole time I knew him.

mbaker566

I'm going to keep running outside barring very cold temperatures like the -20f we had last year

Kimegatron

Wii-U Fit and walking in place. When I'm outside having a cig, I think people driving by think I'm doing the potty dance, LMAO

jemhh

Hey now, we've had a really mild fall-almost-winter so far here in Ohio!

I have a home gym so I exercise indoors. On the weekends when it is light outside I'll take a walk out there if the weather is nice. I'm not going to lie--I will not be out walking/running when we have actual cold wintry days. Once a week I get to the regular gym.

Kimegatron

Yes, I was able to go out walking the last 2 weeks, minus rain and high winds! Totally awesome and strange, since it's almost Christmas. I'm in Michigan, so we get the same-ish weather

lemurcat12

Sounds like you are doing great!

I am in Chicago (so similar weather, it's been wonderfully mild so far here too), and I run, so I do try to keep doing that outside consistently. Except for the most extreme days or ice issues, I can. I usually sign up for some early spring or winter races to keep myself motivated too (this year I'm doing two races in Jan -- hope the mild winter goes into Jan!). I also am a member of a gym located near my office and tend to spend more time in the gym over the winter since I am not someone who will bike all year round (wish I was, but I'm just not). I do weights, spinning and other classes, sometimes the stationary bike. I also have a bike trainer at home. Last year I was really into classes at my gym and blew off lots of my planned outdoor runs to do that kind of thing instead, but this year I'm more committed to continuing to run outside (well, so far).

shadowfax_c11

Here in Pittsburgh, my friends who are avid cyclers like to do spinning classes in the winter months. We have been fortunate to have a very mild season so far this year.

WmTasker

moyer566 wrote: »

I'm going to keep running outside barring very cold temperatures like the -20f we had last year

Ummm. No thanks. I tried running when the temp was in the 40's and I was coughing and hacking the next morning. How much clothes do you have to wear to run with snow on the ground?

Kimegatron wrote: »

Wii-U Fit and walking in place. When I'm outside having a cig, I think people driving by think I'm doing the potty dance, LMAO

I remember doing that dance before my daughters were born.

jemhh wrote: »

Hey now, we've had a really mild fall-almost-winter so far here in Ohio!

I have a home gym so I exercise indoors. On the weekends when it is light outside I'll take a walk out there if the weather is nice. I'm not going to lie--I will not be out walking/running when we have actual cold wintry days. Once a week I get to the regular gym.

Yes it has been mild but it's still hard to ride with winds that are 10-20 mph. It's no fun pedaling downhill or uphill against a wind.

malibu927

Winter? Here in Ohio? Where?

My gym is a mile and a half from my house, so once I get back into my routine I'll probably be there five days a week. When it's nicer like now on cardio days, then I'll take a walk around town or the park instead.

shadowfax_c11

WmTasker wrote: »

Yes it has been mild but it's still hard to ride with winds that are 10-20 mph. It's no fun pedaling downhill or uphill against a wind.

Ah but the resistance makes you burn more calories.

richardgavel

There are trainer tires for your bike that are designed to reduce the noise and more durable for the wear and tear they get on a trainer.

ew_david

I lived in Ohio my whole life up until June. I had a home gym and I ran outside if it was 30 or above. Last winter about killed me with the negative temps.

I moved to Phoenix in June. It's been colder here than in Ohio this last week

LivingtheLeanDream

It does sound as if your doing just fine

Its harder in winter for sure although for me in Ireland we have alot of rain all year round....this time of year it's short dark days that can hinder...dark when I'm going to and from work.

I workout indoors at home, have free weights and do youtube workouts. ...

I usually walk/ run outdoors in most conditions when it's light out but not in the pitch dark of the countryside alone.

Most of my walking has to happen in winter on the few afternoons I'm off each week and at weekends....

Where there's a will, there's a way

GettingThere62

Skiing five mornings a week here in Utah ⛷⛷⛷

youngmomtaz

I live in manitoba. Currently -20C with the windchill. I went for a hike today and as soon as we get more snow that will be snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Get some good merino base layers, layer in thin removable layers and you can do almost any workout outside. Last year in -45C I went for a 6mile run. I had beautifully frosted eyelashes when I returned and my scarf was frozen around my neck from my breath but anything is doable if you dress right.

nvmomketo

P90x and basketball.

I used to do a lot of running in the winter but my hips can't take it anymore. To be honest it was an ego boost to run in the very cold (-25C). I am woman, hear me roar sort of thing. I'd come back with frozen eye lashes and nose hairs, and a balaclava so crusted over with ice that ice chunks were breaking off. LOL (Alberta, Canada)

shrcpr

What am I doing during the winter months? Well, I live in CA so I'm basically doing the same things I do in the summer except with a sweater and a hat.

I can't even imagine leaving the house in the type of weather you all are talking about!

vespiquenn

I'm in Wisconsin so I feel the pain of winter, even though we have yet to get snow which is horribly odd. Anyways, I basically do exactly what you do. I joined PF about a month ago and make it 3-5 times a week.

On days I can't make it there, I try hard to get at least 15k steps. It's not the same, but it's enough to at least get me moving, even if it means pacing the house. I will admit though, as a teacher, I can easily get 12k between 7:30-3:30, but a few of us having been dealing with the cold to go on a 20 minute walk during lunch.

WmTasker

I agree with most of what everyone is saying. It's been a good choice to join the gym. I could spend 3 or more hours outside riding my bike a few times a week and not get bored. Running and riding in a gym is soooo boring. It takes all I have to just do an hour on the stationary bike. Music helps and sometimes watching tv but there's nothing like just watching the scenery outside as you ride.

tomteboda

Minnesota here. I just dress appropriate for the weather. Today it was 27F , with snow and 15 mph winds. I wore silk long underwear under my jeans, good walking boots, a heavy sweatshirt with a windbreaker over it, thinsulate gloves, a scarf, and a warm ear-flap hat. Usually I wear just a fleece headband but the wind was pretty bitter.
(me in my early winter walking getup. no ear-flap hat was necessary on Saturday).

lemurcat12

nvmomketo wrote: »

P90x and basketball.

I used to do a lot of running in the winter but my hips can't take it anymore. To be honest it was an ego boost to run in the very cold (-25C). I am woman, hear me roar sort of thing. I'd come back with frozen eye lashes and nose hairs, and a balaclava so crusted over with ice that ice chunks were breaking off. LOL (Alberta, Canada)

-25 sounds fancy, but its only -13 F.

lemurcat12

WmTasker wrote: »

I agree with most of what everyone is saying. It's been a good choice to join the gym. I could spend 3 or more hours outside riding my bike a few times a week and not get bored. Running and riding in a gym is soooo boring. It takes all I have to just do an hour on the stationary bike. Music helps and sometimes watching tv but there's nothing like just watching the scenery outside as you ride.

Agree with this. But what helps is I was preparing for a hilly biking vacation last winter (in early Feb) and trained entirely through trainer + spinning, and I was so much more prepared for hills than I usually am (after a season riding a lot in Chicago--one of the flattest places ever). It gave me more appreciation for the merits of indoor riding for training, which is what helps me deal. I can grind out a stationary bike or trainer session, and actually find spinning fun when I make myself go.

nvmomketo

lemurcat12 wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

P90x and basketball.

I used to do a lot of running in the winter but my hips can't take it anymore. To be honest it was an ego boost to run in the very cold (-25C). I am woman, hear me roar sort of thing. I'd come back with frozen eye lashes and nose hairs, and a balaclava so crusted over with ice that ice chunks were breaking off. LOL (Alberta, Canada)

-25 sounds fancy, but its only -13 F.

LOL Okay.

trswallow

I'll be doing the same thing I did last winter in Ohio, training for an April marathon. I'll be running outside five days a week, going to the Y a couple days a week for weights, yoga, and occasionally to swim. Last year I did several runs in single digit temps and negative wind chill. I would finish with my beard frozen, frozen patches on my jacket from sweat wicking thru my clothes. On my coldest runs my eyes would start freezing and sticking at the corners.

If the cold air is irritating your throat/lungs then try covering your mouth with a scarf or face mask. It will help capture moisture from your breath and prewarm incoming air, which should help reduce irritation.

As others have said dress in layers that can be opened/adjusted, so that you don't overheat once you get warmed up. Don't overdress, you want to be slightly chilled when you start so that you are comfortable after you start. Once you get going your legs will be like little furnaces. Also you want to wear wicking fabrics and not cottons.

If you ride your bike outside in cold weather make sure to have a good windbreaker outer layer. Body position on a bike creates a wind tunnel straight to the crotch.

BruceHedtke

WmTasker wrote: »

moyer566 wrote: »

I'm going to keep running outside barring very cold temperatures like the -20f we had last year

Ummm. No thanks. I tried running when the temp was in the 40's and I was coughing and hacking the next morning. How much clothes do you have to wear to run with snow on the ground?

Last year, I was out hiking around in a state park in 10° weather and some guy was out jogging the trails, wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I think he was insane, personally.

cindytw

Find an indoor track! I used to have one at the Y but I can't afford that anymore. There are also ones in community centers...But basic advice from an Upstate NY (probably worse weather!) girl is layer up, cover the mouth, and get going!! Buy some Yakk Traxx or Nano Spikes...Get some shoes you can waterproof with spray. Get some wind pants and a base layer under (we call them tights for women, they have them for men too). Nothing beats the boredom like getting outside!!

dramaqueen45

I live in Indiana and it's very similar to Ohio as far as weather goes- but this year so far it's been very mild. I am a cyclist as well and ride 2-3 times a week as weather permits through the spring, summer and fall. Even in the warm months I lift at the gym 2-3 times per week. In the winter I just ride the stationary usually at the gym 4-5 times per week, and to stave off the boredom I usually watch something on Netflix on my phone while cycling at the gym. But yeah it's got to be above 60 for me to ride because it is colder than running- I was able to go last Saturday because it got up to the high 60s! That was very nice.

Wiseandcurious

I live in Quebec so my guess is our winter is similar to yours. I work out at home (strength training) and in winter try to go play outside with my kid every weekend day - outdoor or indoor skating, toboganning, that sort of thing (I don't ski yet but cross country skiing is the next on my list for winter). This winter we risk having to limit ourselves to i door skating only no snow... Yet.

jemhh

WmTasker wrote: »

I agree with most of what everyone is saying. It's been a good choice to join the gym. I could spend 3 or more hours outside riding my bike a few times a week and not get bored. Running and riding in a gym is soooo boring. It takes all I have to just do an hour on the stationary bike. Music helps and sometimes watching tv but there's nothing like just watching the scenery outside as you ride.

How about trying a different machine, like the rower? Or weights? Or a circuit? Or a mix?

The other day I did 3 rounds of 8 front squats followed by 45 second sprints. Then I walked for 20 minutes. Done. Tonight I'll do a complex , walk 20 minutes, and be done.