Getting exercise during long Winters

LadyWeaselofVT
LadyWeaselofVT Posts: 77 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
What classes, DVDs and other activities do you all do to keep you motivated in the Winter? I'm in Vermont and it would be wonderful if I liked skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing but they're not my thing. My other challenge is that I leave for work in the dark and now, am returning in the dark. That leaves out walking, except on weekends. I do Jillian Michael's workouts and have an elliptical and Nordic Track skier but always love to hear what others enjoy and find helpful.

Replies

  • kellijeanmahoney
    kellijeanmahoney Posts: 6 Member
    I am like you and do not really enjoy many of the outdoor winter sports, so I took up ice skating a couple of winters ago. I had not been on skates in about 20 years, so I took a lesson on how to start and stop properly (no more crashing into the boards), and turning corners, etc. During the winter months I go to my local rink on my lunch hour and skate for about 45 minutes. I really enjoy it, as I am getting exercise and enjoying a winter activity without having to be out in the cold weather!
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    YouTube; you can find all kinds of exercise.
  • LadyWeaselofVT
    LadyWeaselofVT Posts: 77 Member
    Ice skating is a great idea! I'd need a lesson too but I used to love roller skating. Also, I can think of 3 rinks accessible to me.
  • vikki_barthe
    vikki_barthe Posts: 6 Member
    i really dislike the cold so i go for games that get you moving, like dance dance revolution and zumba for the Wii, i have a pilates dvd too, but it gets boring, the games have catchy music so its actually fun while your working out :) those are for days when i dont feel like going to the gym.
  • LadyWeaselofVT
    LadyWeaselofVT Posts: 77 Member
    Someone else told me they love Zumba for Wii. I haven't even tried a Zumba class but have really wanted to--- I used to be really into aerobics so I think I'd like anything dance-like.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Walk or run during your lunch break?

    I guess I'm lucky, other than not riding my bike outside, winter and summer are pretty much the same for me except I wear more clothes running in the snow.(I'm north of you......)
  • lluulluu
    lluulluu Posts: 115 Member
    I like to hibernate in the winter.. I will be doing Jillian Micheals Cd and doing kettle bell weights at home..Can't wait for spring.
  • Momma_Grizz
    Momma_Grizz Posts: 294 Member
    Winter here occupies a big chunk of our year too and I'm not into snow sports either. Been here all my life and I'm still a wuss when it comes to the cold.

    I recently found the joys of strength training with dumbbells. It's awesome and there are some great sites for work out plans and videos to teach the proper form.

    I'm also into learning how to bellydance! That's a lot of fun too.

    Other than that, I rely on my elliptical and walking DVD's.
  • Laoch_Cailin
    Laoch_Cailin Posts: 414 Member
    I tend to join classes in the darker months. I'm currently doing 2 days at bootcamp, 1 day at zumba and I have a treadmill too. I love winter. Love getting nice and cosy.
  • LadyWeaselofVT
    LadyWeaselofVT Posts: 77 Member
    Other than that, I rely on my elliptical and walking DVD's.

    Momma_Grizz, what walking DVDs do you have? I had one years ago that I loved and cannot remember what it was... I would love to find another or other good ones. Somedays, I just don't feel coordinated enough for my fitness DVD collection.
  • DGK12
    DGK12 Posts: 117
    I do taekwondo two, sometimes three nights a week. I'm also working on stretching daily for 15 mins or so to increase my flexibility. I HATE the winter. I feel like everything becomes stagnant and dull. Bah!
  • Momma_Grizz
    Momma_Grizz Posts: 294 Member
    Other than that, I rely on my elliptical and walking DVD's.

    Momma_Grizz, what walking DVDs do you have? I had one years ago that I loved and cannot remember what it was... I would love to find another or other good ones. Somedays, I just don't feel coordinated enough for my fitness DVD collection.

    Walk Away the Pounds by Leslie Sansone :drinker: I hear ya on the coordination (glad no one can see me while I'm working out to my other DVDs - kind look like I'm having a seizure or something LOL)
  • joanne70
    joanne70 Posts: 68 Member
    Go to Zumba it's great you have fun and burn loads of calories in the process :smile:
  • narrawallee25
    narrawallee25 Posts: 6
    I have my treadmill,swiss ball and my yoga mat,doesnt snow but its warming up :glasses:
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Well, I have a treadmill, stability ball, stationary bike, dial a dumbbell, Bo-Flex's top of the line weight bench, exercise bands, medicine ball and smaller free weights.

    That said - I do Circuit training (Tough Mudder has three that are great); I've also put together my own from belonging to Jillian Michaels website for a while, eDiets and being a Mixed Martial arts instructor. I do something different every year b/c I have a short attention span and get bored very easy...this year I'm doing Hal Higdon's 12 week novice1 training for a half marathon. It includes running, weight training, and cross training. When I finish that, I will either go back to something I have or my cable has free on demand Mag rack ...there are all kinds of exercise programs to choose from, dancing, weights, aerobics, jazzercise, stretching, there's some very interesting dance once....haha


    Edit: I keep forgetting we have the XBox Kinect too...I haven't used it in a while...but my husband and I do during the Winter a lot. It's fun; golf, tennis, baseball, olympics, snow boarding...it's a lot of fun.
  • Crystaleyed
    Crystaleyed Posts: 229 Member
    I am like you and do not really enjoy many of the outdoor winter sports, so I took up ice skating a couple of winters ago. I had not been on skates in about 20 years, so I took a lesson on how to start and stop properly (no more crashing into the boards), and turning corners, etc. During the winter months I go to my local rink on my lunch hour and skate for about 45 minutes. I really enjoy it, as I am getting exercise and enjoying a winter activity without having to be out in the cold weather!

    I don't know why I never thought of this, there's an ice rink only a bus ride away from where I live. I will have to check out prices because I am a poor student who can't afford much, but thank you so much for the idea :D
  • Crystaleyed
    Crystaleyed Posts: 229 Member
    Thank you for putting this up :) it's been really good to look at what everyone else does in the winter months.
    I live in a bit of a dodgy area and I don't enjoy going out when it get's dark at all. I often find myself going to classes, a suggestion I know has already been mentioned on here. When i can't get to those I find myself cleaning the house more often and if I have ten minutes to spare use a DVD from Ten Minute Solutions, they are an amazing set of DVD's, at the moment I have two and although I haven't been able to use them lately [I have been very ill and often not in the house] they are well worth buying :D I hope that helps :)
  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    I hate winter, I have no interest in winter sports, I've had three separate falls on ice that have broken bones, but I have benefitted so much from walking since last spring that I'm programming myself to get out in some way. I'll get proper clothes and clamp on ice spike for my boots, and a proper hat.

    I'm seriously considering snow shoes.
  • mom2handh1975
    mom2handh1975 Posts: 224 Member
    Other than that, I rely on my elliptical and walking DVD's.

    Momma_Grizz, what walking DVDs do you have? I had one years ago that I loved and cannot remember what it was... I would love to find another or other good ones. Somedays, I just don't feel coordinated enough for my fitness DVD collection.

    Leslie Sansone has tons of walking videos, and some of them are very challenging! I always feel amazing after finishing 5 Really Big Miles.
  • twinteensmom
    twinteensmom Posts: 371 Member
    What classes, DVDs and other activities do you all do to keep you motivated in the Winter? I'm in Vermont and it would be wonderful if I liked skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing but they're not my thing. My other challenge is that I leave for work in the dark and now, am returning in the dark. That leaves out walking, except on weekends. I do Jillian Michael's workouts and have an elliptical and Nordic Track skier but always love to hear what others enjoy and find helpful.

    I am also in Vermont(hello Neighbor). I also hate the winter and I dread the snow and ice, although I am thinking of trying out snowshoeing this year. I think last winter was a fluke and we are in for it this year! Anyway, walking is my exercise of choice and someone recommended Leslie Sansone DVDs. I bought one and use it a lot. The walking is very easy on joints and you can do it in the comfort of your living room. I also have a gazelle in my basement. Your work schedule sounds a lot like mine as I am out the door for work at 3:30 in the morning. Friend me if you are interested in a walking buddy in the spring. I'm in Burlington.
  • LadyWeaselofVT
    LadyWeaselofVT Posts: 77 Member
    Thanks, everyone! So many great ideas! I just ordered two Leslie Sansone walking DVDs and am looking forward to trying them.
  • KatLifter
    KatLifter Posts: 1,314 Member
    What classes, DVDs and other activities do you all do to keep you motivated in the Winter? I'm in Vermont and it would be wonderful if I liked skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing but they're not my thing. My other challenge is that I leave for work in the dark and now, am returning in the dark. That leaves out walking, except on weekends. I do Jillian Michael's workouts and have an elliptical and Nordic Track skier but always love to hear what others enjoy and find helpful.

    I live in Boston and it is the worst leaving work in the dark! Check out www.toneitup.com. They have amazing (free) workouts you can do at home, along with healthy recipes, and within a community. All you really need to do most of the workouts at home are some light weights and a mat.

    Good luck!
  • Colbyandsage
    Colbyandsage Posts: 751 Member
    I am starting p90x :)
  • shovav91
    shovav91 Posts: 2,335 Member
    I run at the gym, or I do videos. Jillian Michaels, Turbo Jam, and zumba I find on youtube :D
  • mrso97
    mrso97 Posts: 147 Member
    What classes, DVDs and other activities do you all do to keep you motivated in the Winter? I'm in Vermont and it would be wonderful if I liked skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing but they're not my thing. My other challenge is that I leave for work in the dark and now, am returning in the dark. That leaves out walking, except on weekends. I do Jillian Michael's workouts and have an elliptical and Nordic Track skier but always love to hear what others enjoy and find helpful.
    i have two dogs...they get walked in the morning and at night....dark, cold, wet, snowing, raining, icy...doesnt matter ...they get walked ..elliptical and treadmill depending on the day...i try to get at least 90 mins of cardio every day..im in buffalo, ny...i know how hard it can be in the winter...i have these things that go on my shoes...called snow tires...little spikes that keep you from falling on the ice...that helps alot in the winter...

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