Exercise Advice please!

Cate42490
Cate42490 Posts: 4
in Getting Started
Hello everyone! I am just getting started on my MFP journey, and I wanted to have some ideas from you all for some ways to get in a workout here and there.

Note that I live in a big city, so I cannot be doing jumping jacks in my 4th floor apartment. Also, a gym membership is too expensive, and the discount ones are not opened on the weekends when I can go. I enjoy running, but it's so cold out right now that waking up before work to run in 2°C doesn't really seem like a viable option.

Any ideas of something I can be doing at home maybe which doesn't require much space (my apartment is tiny) and where I'm not jumping around too much? Or has anyone found a good way to exercise outdoors in the winter?

Any help would be amazing!

Thanks

Replies

  • CariS001
    CariS001 Posts: 169 Member
    Bundle up and walk walk walk!

    Running in 2C isn't that bad once you get going. I often find the cool air keeps my legs feeling strong longer
  • emilyisbonkers
    emilyisbonkers Posts: 373 Member
    hula hooping is good, and fairly quiet when you stop dropping it
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    For a fairly mild workout, check Leslie Sansome videos - you're mostly walking in place with some other things mixed in like hamstring curls, side steps arm movements, etc. The closest thing to high impact is jogging in place but you could just continue walking.

    For a more difficult workout, try Bob Harper's Pure Burn Super Strength. No jumping around - squats, lunges, arm exercises, burpees, push-ups etc. You can also do plenty of that kind of strength training on your own either just with body weight or using hand weights.
  • hoyalawya2003
    hoyalawya2003 Posts: 631 Member
    I am starting the body by you program--strength training with body weight. No jumping required.
  • JasonPeth
    JasonPeth Posts: 1 Member
    How about going up and down the stairs?
  • SirDoctorofTARDIS
    SirDoctorofTARDIS Posts: 113 Member
    2C isn't that bad. As long as you wear the right clothing I tend to run outside until about -10C. Colder than that then my bronchitis will act up and I sound like I've smoked a pack a day for 20+ years :cry:
  • tinamariecleg
    tinamariecleg Posts: 99 Member
    I have exercise bands and walk :)
  • ghostfingers
    ghostfingers Posts: 24
    I recommend bundling up, too! It gets to about -10 degree C here (I think, it;s 15 degrees fahrenheit, haha) and I've found that even at that point, it's manageable... just stay bundled up, and remember that after about 10 minutes of a brisk walk you'll get nice and toasty. The first 10 minutes can be pretty nasty sometimes, but it's worth it! My biggest issue in the winter is ice, slippery nastiness but I find I'm usually okay if I run on roads instead of sidewalks- which is better for my knees anyhow!

    I'm new to running myself, and the biggest thing I did was find motivation. I've been running with Zombies, Run! and some good music, and it's made me WANT to go running, instead of forcing myself to do it every day. When you WANT to run, there are always ways to do it!
  • husseycd
    husseycd Posts: 814 Member
    How about going up and down the stairs?

    This and body weight/dumbell exercises. Dancing is probably good too as long as you aren't jumping around. Pick up a belly dance tape or something similar.
  • SandraD1424
    SandraD1424 Posts: 81 Member
    There is a blog backonpointe.tumblr.com/ and there are a ton of workouts, one is even called "no jumping". I think you will find something to suit you :)
  • MissLakeTime
    MissLakeTime Posts: 59 Member
    I'm using the app Sworkit App that I found advertised on MFP and you pick what you want to do (Cardio, Strength training, yoga, etc.) and for how long and you can FF through different exercises (which would help if you came to an exercise that would be too loud) and it also sync's directly to MFP.
  • ScottishGirlXO
    ScottishGirlXO Posts: 15 Member
    Using "its too cold to go out running" is no longer an excuse. I got away with that one for almost a year, because here in Scotland, it's ALWAYS freezing.

    I decided to stop making up excuses and do something about it. I normally go my run when I finish work which is around 5pm. I do some floor exercises in the house i.e sit ups, squats, and general warm up exercises. I then go out and run around streets and roads where there is light. I do a quick 30 second sprint and take it down a notch to light jogging for around 3 minutes straight then do another quick 30 second sprint and then power walk to get my breath back and my heart rate down. I continue to power walk until I feel ready to repeat. It gets easier as the days/weeks go on. Don't feel like you need to push yourself too much on the first week as your body will just be getting used to running. Just keep thinking, a bit of exercise is better than sitting on the sofa with a packet of biscuits.

    Hope I helped x
  • Glens_Life
    Glens_Life Posts: 32 Member
    Going to be walking in 19f weather, this gave me the motivation even if its cold out side walk anyways.
  • nancybuss
    nancybuss Posts: 1,461 Member
    Tai Cheng
    Yoga
    Pilates
  • Cate42490
    Cate42490 Posts: 4
    Wow thank you all for your help! I got a lot of good options here.. the exercise bands, some good videos, and of course the stairs! I also guess I better go out and get some warm clothes, because it seems I really have no excuse not to get outside! thanks again X
  • piratesluver
    piratesluver Posts: 105 Member
    I do a lot of weights, lunges, crunches, and squats in my apartment and I'm on the second floor. I also run up and down the stairs sometimes pretending I'm in a hurry going somewhere. Lol!
  • scottyg70
    scottyg70 Posts: 388 Member
    It's never too cold to run!

    http://www.runnersworld.com/running-apparel/foul-weather-friends?page=2
  • poedunk65
    poedunk65 Posts: 1,336 Member
    All I hear is excuses, figure out a way to workout. Buy an upright exercise bike, do yoga or isometrics.:angry:
  • CeeCee_RB
    CeeCee_RB Posts: 34
    I recomend to use the Air Climber! I have lose 6 pounds in 4 days doing it only 30 minutes per day. I also drink lots of water and eat less than 1500 calories per day.
  • 1princesswarrior
    1princesswarrior Posts: 1,242 Member
    Zumba, no jumping there and it's fun
  • sportyredhead01
    sportyredhead01 Posts: 482 Member
    How tall are the ceilings?

    If you have tall enough ceilings you can swing a Kettlebell.

    :happy:
  • pearlmullet
    pearlmullet Posts: 81 Member
    How tall are the ceilings?

    If you have tall enough ceilings you can swing a Kettlebell.

    :happy:
    I was gonna say this too.
  • BernadetteChurch
    BernadetteChurch Posts: 2,210 Member
    There's also a good book "You Are Your Own Gym" which is full of body weight exercises that need little or no equipment.
  • Debbjones
    Debbjones Posts: 278 Member
    How about going up and down the stairs?

    I'm in on the stairs suggestion. When I travel out east and stay in a hotel, I purposefully ask for a room on the 4th or 5th floor and then ask for the location of the stairs. The Desk Clerk looks at me a little crazy and points to the emergency fire stairway (who else would use stairs right!). Before calling it a day I hit the stairwell and make several trips up and down, not to mention, I never use the elevator. I prefer this over using the fitness center (so many more experienced people there fighting for machines!). I am more of a cardio person so this fits right in for me and the bitter cold temps outside are not a variable.
  • wkhauser
    wkhauser Posts: 25 Member
    heck if you live on the 4th floor, you could just walk/run up and down the stairs for a workout.
  • darkrose20
    darkrose20 Posts: 1,139 Member
    look on you tube for cardio without jumping. there are a lot of videos out there. I've tried one or two, and they do get my heart pumping.
  • scottyg70
    scottyg70 Posts: 388 Member
    How about going up and down the stairs?

    I'm in on the stairs suggestion. When I travel out east and stay in a hotel, I purposefully ask for a room on the 4th or 5th floor and then ask for the location of the stairs. The Desk Clerk looks at me a little crazy and points to the emergency fire stairway (who else would use stairs right!). Before calling it a day I hit the stairwell and make several trips up and down, not to mention, I never use the elevator. I prefer this over using the fitness center (so many more experienced people there fighting for machines!). I am more of a cardio person so this fits right in for me and the bitter cold temps outside are not a variable.

    If you don't want to buy gear to run outside, then I will second (third) this suggestion. The latest issue of Runners World actually had an article about doing stairs to help with the cardio and endurance. Doesn't take the place of running, but it's something until it reaches a temperature that you want to run in.
  • hdbuck
    hdbuck Posts: 27 Member
    When it's not too terribly cold outside, I bundle up and go on a jog. As they say, "it doesn't matter how slow you go, you're still lapping everyone on the couch." I also do Zumba! It's dancing and you can tone it down if you want as to not be jumping around and what not.
  • ScouterC
    ScouterC Posts: 5
    2 degrees! That's warm weather. I walk my dogs even when it's 30 below (with a wind chill). ;)

    All teasing aside. Doing the stairs in your apartment building, (if it's a large building with two stairwells at the end, try getting off at each floor and briskly walking to the other stairwell. You might even strike up a friendship with someone else in your building. Mall walking is free, and most Malls open early to allow you to walk (but keep walking past that food court that opens early).

    Find out about 'free swim' or 'free skate' night at your local pool or rink.

    Even when watching TV, if the music is update, just do some moves to it. (Even talk shows like Ellen, Dr. Oz, and The Doctors have times where there is upbeat music. Make it a practice to jump up from the couch to move to the music.)

    Buy one set of workout DVDs. Doesn't have the absolute best... just so long as there are different workouts to keep the variety up. (Even Jillian Michael's workouts have some low impact, or modify the exercize so you are bouncing... at least your moving.)

    Check out YouTube for Tiffany Rothe 10 minute workouts... FREE - I do this at work in my office.

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