Maintaining Weight during the winter

chrisfuentes2005
chrisfuentes2005 Posts: 295 Member
edited November 13 in Goal: Maintaining Weight
m have been doing my 2 walks everyday one in the morning for an hour and one in the afternoon, but when it starts to get colder won't be able to do it everyday. Is it hard to maintain weight. I can't do much due to medication

Replies

  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    I have that problem too. Some communities have schools that will let you walk their gyms. Almost all malls do. I used to go to Lowes or Home Depot or Walmart and just walk their aisles. It's warm.
  • chrisfuentes2005
    chrisfuentes2005 Posts: 295 Member
    HappyGrape wrote: »
    Reduce calories. Balance of both really - calorie burn/calorie intake. you can put some music on and dance like no one is watching too!

    Is it hard? Well honestly some days are easy some aren't. It's not as hard as feeling bad about yourself or being overweight. Maintaining is much easier in my opinion

    but easy doesn't mean no effort required

    Thanks, the thing is im just worry about gaining weight.
  • Seajolly
    Seajolly Posts: 1,435 Member
    I love the suggestion to go walk at the mall or a big store! Do you have a step tracker so you can meet a daily step goal?
  • girlgroves
    girlgroves Posts: 235 Member
    Seajolly wrote: »
    go walk at the mall

    I walk every lunchtime in the park next to where I work - and I manage to get out whatever the weather, because when it's really tipping down with rain I go stride up and down the nearby shopping centre instead - I don't get nearly half as wet!

    OP - when it starts to get colder couldn't you just wear more clothes? I really, REALLY feel the cold anyway, but I'm currently wrapping up in loads of layers, hats, scarves, gloves, using handwarmers, etc to go out. I also find that the faster I walk the warmer I get!
  • tiff12tiff12
    tiff12tiff12 Posts: 10 Member
    I walk a lot at work, we have 5 huge buildings. On the weekends it's very hard to get in all my steps so I go to the mall or Target, anywhere indoors where I can get all my steps in. I take just enough money for a snack so I don't spend. During the holidays the mall is super busy of course which is good and bad. Good because the time goes fast with so much to see and bad because you have groups of people who walk 4-5 across, strollers, etc.
    I know it's hard but there are always ways to get it in! good luck :)
  • HappyGrape
    HappyGrape Posts: 436 Member
    chrisfuentes2005 wrote: »

    Thanks, the thing is im just worry about gaining weight.

    It's natural to be worried, that's perfectly ok! Keep an eye on the scale and adjust the plan as needed. You can do it, and it's great that you are looking for ideas!



  • peaceout_aly
    peaceout_aly Posts: 2,018 Member
    Decrease the calories. Don't eat back exercise calories.
  • dutchandkiwi
    dutchandkiwi Posts: 1,389 Member
    Just wondering why you feel you would not be able to do it every day when it gets colder.
    Weather patterns are different in the worl I do realise this but I walk to and from work close to an hour each way.
    Weather needs to be at code red (meaning stay inside here) before I stop that. I have walked to work in pouring rain and through a snowfall up to my knees in places. Lots of layers, fantastic raingear and goretex shoes are my secret.
  • nowine4me
    nowine4me Posts: 3,985 Member
    I walked in -- not one -- but two hurricanes this Summer to keep my 10k+ step per day streak alive. Cold is worse, but I do it anyway. Perhaps a short term membership to a gym or club with treadmills is your answer.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    chrisfuentes2005 wrote: »
    m have been doing my 2 walks everyday one in the morning for an hour and one in the afternoon, but when it starts to get colder won't be able to do it everyday. Is it hard to maintain weight. I can't do much due to medication

    I generally put on 8-10 Lbs every winter due to the fact that my activity overall goes on the decline. As exercise goes, I primarily cycle and I'm kind of a fare weather guy so my rides tend to diminish as the weather gets colder...I'm trying to rectify that this year in that I bought an indoor trainer so I don't really have any excuses on that front.

    But the other issue goes beyond exercise...during warmer months, I'm just more active generally...out with the kids at the zoo on the weekend or out hiking in the mountains or at the pool, etc...in the winter you're more likely to find me at the movies or watching the game.

    Fortunately, the weight tends to come off as soon as we get into Spring...but I'm hoping this year that with my trainer and a few other tricks up my sleeve and eating well that I'll drop the 10 Lbs I already put on being injured...I certainly can't afford to put on 10 more winter Lbs.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    YouTube workout videos...there are lots of low impact options. Otherwise, bundle up and get outside.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    chrisfuentes2005 wrote: »
    HappyGrape wrote: »
    Reduce calories. Balance of both really - calorie burn/calorie intake. you can put some music on and dance like no one is watching too!

    Is it hard? Well honestly some days are easy some aren't. It's not as hard as feeling bad about yourself or being overweight. Maintaining is much easier in my opinion

    but easy doesn't mean no effort required

    Thanks, the thing is im just worry about gaining weight.

    Cold dark days suck. I think most of us are concerned about maintaining and not gaining during these winter days, which is the reason for the great suggestions shared. There is no benefit in worrying, set a plan and follow it. Reevaluate and readjust as needed.
  • chrisfuentes2005
    chrisfuentes2005 Posts: 295 Member
    matter utchandkiwi wrote: »
    Just wondering why you feel you would not be able to do it every day when it gets colder.
    Weather patterns are different in the worl I do realise this but I walk to and from work close to an hour each way.
    Weather needs to be at code red (meaning stay inside here) before I stop that. I have walked to work in pouring rain and through a snowfall up to my knees in places. Lots of layers, fantastic raingear and goretex shoes are my secret.

    I have to be careful when its really cold, I have no circulation with my hands or feet from radiation when I was little. So no matter what they will be cold
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Thank goodness for indoor workouts, that's what keeps me going, its either those or wrap up and get out there...
  • JoeCWV
    JoeCWV Posts: 213 Member
    If what you want to do is walk simply drive to the nearest Walmart, preferably between midnight and 8AM. Start doing laps. I suggest the times as this is when you will encounter fewer people to slow you down. Do laps for an hour if that's your goal then drive home. Problem solved. You will likely only burn a couple hundred calories so you could also simply cut back a bit on your calories. your call.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I put on around 4kgs this last winter, I still exercised the same as i usually do but I ate more. I just couldn't outrun my diet! I'm working on losing it again now (it's summer here) and so far so good.
  • GuineaKitty
    GuineaKitty Posts: 97 Member
    I don't like to be outside in cold weather. Today I walked in the house and climbed stairs. After the 10th time going up I was hot. I did that 30 times it was a great workout.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Bundle up and go. 2 years ago I was walking every day, no matter the weather... Get some gloves, a hat, and a good coat, and you'll be fine. Besides you really warm up when you move.

    I even walked 12 miles in NYC with -30 degree windchills - I just had layers all over and it was fine.

    I got a stationary bike and do that instead now though (I did have a couple walks in the cold this week still, and really enjoyed them).
  • Spliner1969
    Spliner1969 Posts: 3,233 Member
    In the summer I usually do as much walking/jogging as I can, but in the winter I'm in the same boat. I don't pay for a gym so I walk at home, inside while doing cross training (mostly body weight training). I manage to burn a ton of calories daily doing it, and I walk from my kitchen to my farthest bedroom and back in between sets. Back and forth back and forth. Luckily I do it in the early mornings before my wife gets up, otherwise it drives her nuts lol. I work out for about 90 minutes every morning with this routine after spending 30 minutes on my elliptical as a warmup. So where there's a will, there's a way.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    Can you get a secondhand treadmill? Or the Lesley Sansone DVDs will work too. I still try to get out every day, but like you my circulation is poor and when it drops below 30 I have to be really careful, so my walks are shorter. As soon as my fingers and toes start to hurt I head back in. I make up for it with indoor options. I'll even spend 10 minutes here and there marching in place and jumping jacks in front of the TV to get my steps up to where I want them! Just do the best you can. If you do gain a few lbs, you will lose it once you get back to your regular routine!
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,743 Member
    We have a large dog, so I walk twice a day, regardless of the weather. It does get hard when it's really cold, and I also have issues with my hands. Down gloves help, but my hands still go numb. You might try wool gloves inside down mittens, or vice versa.

    Can you get access to a treadmill? There are some very inexpensive gyms around, if you're willing to drive. Or as others have said, Leslie Sansom or other low impact aerobics dvds will get you moving.
  • leejoyce31
    leejoyce31 Posts: 794 Member
    You don't have to do the DVD's. Youtube has lots of exercise videos.
  • chrisfuentes2005
    chrisfuentes2005 Posts: 295 Member
    Quote="spzjlb;38362504"]I really appreciate your sensitivity to cold. I live in beautiful Quebec City where we have snowy, long winters. I also have circulation problems, such that after coming in (even just after driving in winter) it is dangerous for me to use a knife to chop veggies because I can't really feel my fingers for an hour or so. Toes often, too, but that doesn't impede my function so much.
    - I find it's easy to get really good boots these days. I have a hard time finding gloves and mitts that are sufficiently warm. Please post if you have found a great brand...
    - I have woods near my home and find that walks in the shelter of trees are much more comfortable than out in the open. Maybe you have something similar.
    - You might try hot packs in your mitts or boots, provided you are able to sense if they are too hot. I haven't tried the reusable ones, yet.
    - Being out in the brisk winter air is incredibly wonderful, but I still dread going out each time. Once out, I am fine...it is like jumping in a pool. It takes me forever, but I love it once in the water. This resistance to going out in the cold was the impetus for me to start doing indoor workouts. As many above mentioned, there are heaps of free workouts for all types of fitness levels and physical capacities on the web. I have a nice home gym, but I still do a little something from Pop Sugar or Fitness Blender nearly every day. I have a few DVDs that I turn to - some are "vintage" but faves - it all keeps me moving. I think that you'll find that a shorter indoor workout that is more intense than your traditional walks will be very gratifying and easy to tailor to your abilities.
    Good luck! Happy winter.[/quote]

    Thank you sorry for late reply. I had 2 brain tumors when i was little and chemo and radiation, I sometimes have no circulation on my hands or feet from it so they are sometimes really cold. I sometimes try to workout but have to be careful when I get hot because could cause me to have a seizure.
  • chrisfuentes2005
    chrisfuentes2005 Posts: 295 Member
    Spliner1969 wrote: »
    In the summer I usually do as much walking/jogging as I can, but in the winter I'm in the same boat. I don't pay for a gym so I walk at home, inside while doing cross training (mostly body weight training). I manage to burn a ton of calories daily doing it, and I walk from my kitchen to my farthest bedroom and back in between sets. Back and forth back and forth. Luckily I do it in the early mornings before my wife gets up, otherwise it drives her nuts lol. I work out for about 90 minutes every morning with this routine after spending 30 minutes on my elliptical as a warmup. So where there's a will, there's a way.

    Thanks its only when its really cold. If i could workout a lot more i would
  • deannasawyer
    deannasawyer Posts: 47 Member
    To be honest, I don't sweat it. I generally eat a bit more in the winter, and exercise a bit less. Even in the house I am frigid, so I'm certainly not going outside unless I need to tend the sheep or shovel. The spike in activity when spring and summer come around make up for it. Generally speaking I only gain 8-10lbs during the winter, and have lost it all by mid to late June. Though having something like a FitDesk might be helpful for you. You can use it in the house to help warm you up, and get some exercise in.
  • chrisfuentes2005
    chrisfuentes2005 Posts: 295 Member
    deannalaverty wrote: »
    To be honest, I don't sweat it. I generally eat a bit more in the winter, and exercise a bit less. Even in the house I am frigid, so I'm certainly not going outside unless I need to tend the sheep or shovel. The spike in activity when spring and summer come around make up for it. Generally speaking I only gain 8-10lbs during the winter, and have lost it all by mid to late June. Though having something like a FitDesk might be helpful for you. You can use it in the house to help warm you up, and get some exercise in.

    Thank you
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