What’s your plan for the winter?

Starting at the end of the month I'll be switching to shift work until December, alternating days and nights every two weeks. Due to that I'll be continuing doing Beach Body lifting programs at home, because I haven't enjoyed wearing a mask at the gym and I know myself - if I try and go to the gym after working for 12 hours, I'll definitely find ways to talk myself out of it.

I also really want to start doing more outside activities this fall/winter, particularly getting a bike and doing some trails, or hiking more in my area!

I'm in Massachusetts. I'll quote myself from a similar thread from last month:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10808194/winter-months

kshama2001 wrote: »

For the last 5 years or so, all winter long I've bundled up and walked in the woods every day during the week at lunch time, unless it was raining, in which case I would do yoga or strength train inside, or snowing, when I would shovel or go snow shoeing.

I am far more likely to feel trapped indoors by summer heat than winter cold.

There's no such thing as "too cold" - just insufficient gear

Just checked the weather - it's going to be in the 60s tomorrow, finally cool enough to start hiking again!

moonangel12 wrote: »

For those that bike through the winter, what gear do you use? I am thinking ski goggles would be a nice addition - my eyes water so easily in the cold! Gloves, windproof jacket? I have the hardest time with layers, I like the pictographs for runners that show what you should wear for temp ranges, I refer to them often in anything but the warmest weather conditions.

I wear cycling tights that have a fleece lining...depending on how cold I wear a fleece undershirt with a long sleeve jersey and a wind breaker. I have long finger cycling gloves and if need be I have a scull cap that goes under my helmet...a full balaclava if necessary...usually only in January.

I don't do anything with my glasses...I wear my cycling glasses which are like a windshield on a car in any condition.

moonangel12 wrote: »

For those that bike through the winter, what gear do you use? I am thinking ski goggles would be a nice addition - my eyes water so easily in the cold! Gloves, windproof jacket? I have the hardest time with layers, I like the pictographs for runners that show what you should wear for temp ranges, I refer to them often in anything but the warmest weather conditions.

Main things that I (and almost everyone) will recommend first : pogies (aka bar mitts) and shoe covers (or invest in insulated riding shoes /boots). (these are typically the spots that feel the cold the most).

Layers. (I wear a baselayer top, then light windbreaker, then better wind breaker (DriClimb windshirt), and wearing or carrying in backpack a 'puffy' (down jacket) if might be needed).

I wear my usual photochromic impact - tested glasses. (not safety style... As the side Shields or extra snug wrapping on those tend to result in fogging up at stops).

My plan for the winter is to run intervals on the treadmill and work on improving/increasing my speed. I live in a climate with harsh winters and I have a baby so it's better and safer for me to workout at home. My goal is to run a 5K in 30 minutes or less, comfortably by spring.

I found out about a way to turn a ski trail I love into a loop. Looking forward to getting out there and exploring these connector trails. 😁

I'm planning on continuing to work out outside. I am a big hiker, so I'm making sure I have some good winter gear and getting some new traction devices for my shoes. I've already started planning hikes that I know tend to be pretty okay during the winter, and I'll kind of see where that goes.

I like walking/jogging in the cold. Just bundle up a little more. The cold forces your body to expend more energy to keep it warm. And I still would prefer doing cardio outside regardless of weather versus on a treadmill.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Well I would normal curl in at least 2 or 3 leagues but with the restrictions I'm not sure what will be happening there and I'm not sure I want to be in an enclosed not well ventilated building with random people.

So I will wait for the outdoor skating rinks to open and maybe this will be the year I finally attempt to skate at as many in the area that I can

northdakota84 wrote: »

My problem in the winter isn't the temperature, it's the shortened daylight hours. I leave for work before the sun is up and by the time i get home at the end of the day it will be already be dusk or very close to it. That leaves only weekends for outdoor workouts. How do other people exercise outdoors when it's dark?

As I often find myself sarcastically saying to my suburban roadie buddies come fall (when they whine that they'll soon be stuck on the trainer): "so they make these things now we call lights". but seriously.. there have been major improvements in headlamps (cycling and running/hiking/helmets) and tail lights, LED vests, spoke lights, etc. in the last bunch of years.

I live in Maine and run outdoors year round. Due to COVID-19 my narathons were deferred so I am training for two next year

I have all the proper gear to run to -10 F (if no wind) I do need to replace my gloves so I would be interested to hear what others are wearing in extreme cold.

Same as I did last winter...bundle up and keep running.

I exercise outside year round and dress according to the weather (there is no bad weather just bad clatter a Swedish friend told me once) The only thing that will keep me inside is black ice! I walk, hike and run.
I also have my own weights and exercise area in the house (rowing machine and bench)

Joined a gym twice for the weight equipment and twice ended up buying the stuff myself as don't like sharing the equipment, waiting in line, needing to comply to their opening times and the general vibe in a gym Just did not like going at all.
So I did the calculations for the equipment i wanted and found that the Return on investment (ROI) was less than 2 years a compared to gym membership (note this is not the heavy duty gym equipment obviously) bought the stuff and never looked back.

I'm hoping the gym stays open. I have some stuff in the 3rd stall of the garage I can use but generally don't see above freezing from December to Mid-March.

Trying to carve out some space in the basement.