Winter help

d2rala

I live in Minnesota, and while we haven't gotten the winter blast that the east coast got - it's coming. It always comes.
I have difficulty staying motivated when the days get short, it's dark and cold when I go to work, it's cold and dark when I get home. It seems like I am always cold. I don't want to go outside, because it's cold. I eat more than I should, because I am inside, bored and cold.
I belong to a health club, which is my saving grace, and some days it seems that the spa (hot tub, & sauna) is the only place I can get warm. I HATE the cold, and my husband tells me "if you wouldn't focus on it, it would be so bad". This would be true if it was just SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), but I also have frostbite and arthritis in my hands making this a physical condition as well. I have tried taking up winter activties, and classes to help the time pass more quickly but every year it becomes more difficult.
My husband doesn't want to leave the area for more than a week, and I can't afford to move out every fall. (my winning the lottery fantasy? Being able to travel to warm places from January to April every year so I can move without pain and not have to wear an extra 2 layers of clothes)
So, in an effort to help get out of my annual pity party I am looking for creative ideas to help me survive winter without putting on the weight I usually pack on.

jrditt

I use my wii to dance to just dance 2 and it's a lot of fun and burns a lot of calories. Maybe something like that will help you with the weight and the winter?

bsjustice

Clear out a room, add some bright lights, a television and DVD player. Do some workouts on disc. That way you don't have to travel back out in the cold, dark evening to get to the gym. If you don't feel like jumping around, do some yoga, pilates, stretching, ab workout, meditation or something. Good luck.

mandasimba

I know that it can be really hard to just get out and go, so how about giving yourself a little "reward" especially using the gyms hot tub/sauna/steam rooms? Thinking about the wonderful heat and relaxation that can come with those might make it easier to get there, but try and make a deal with yourself that you have to work out in order to be able to use the hot tub.

Also, may I suggest this for your christmas list... http://www.hotheadz.net/naapfoandhaw.html As a very cold person with ice for fingers and toes, I must say they are heaven!

havalinaaa

I live in NYC and I HATE the cold. HATE HATE HATE. It's not SAD, it's an intense dislike of the cold. I grew up in the south, where the weather rarely dips below 40 and then only for a few days. I totally know what you mean about only feeling warm in the hot tub or sauna.

The way I've come to deal with it is by wearing the proper clothing. I invested in a really good set of silk long johns and good boots, plus toe socks. I hate toe socks, but I hate cold toes even more. You can find silk ones that aren't so bulky, the problem I have with toe socks is the way your toes get pushed apart. Then a regular pair of socks over that. And lots of scarves/hats. I still haven't found gloves I really like, but I keep my hands in my pockets or wrapped around my zippo hand warmer.

For physical activity, I just make sure to take a nice walk during the brightest part of the day. I try to enjoy my surroundings despite the cold/snow/ice/grossness, taking in the beauty of the season. I have to force myself to leave the house to start the walk, but I usually find once I'm out there I don't really mind it so much. I drink lots of warm beverages, sometimes even just hot water with lemon and honey, to warm me up from the inside. It helps that my dog seems to actually LOVE the cold/snow and is so very happy to be with me on these long winter walks, her joy is infectious. After our walk I hightail it to the bathtub to take a long hot shower or bath.

I am really worried about my resolve to go to the gym once the winter really settles in here, but I plan to set up some really desirable rewards for my self related to going to the gym x number of days a week. I figure if I can just get there, I will be so happy to be back inside I'll probably stay longer than normal to avoid going back out in the cold. We'll see...

If you want some cold weather encouragement, feel free to friend me and we can prod each other to stay active despite the horrible terrible cold.