Exercise Ideas for Cold Weather Climates

[tstesen]

I'm hoping some of you that reside in cold weather climates could give me some suggestions on exercise options during the winter months. I moved from South Florida to Colorado a little over a year ago. Since moving here I have gained a good 10-15 lbs. Now I wasn't heavy when I left FL weighing in at just 109 lbs. (I'm 5.5').

I haven't really changed my eating habits if anything my eating habits have improved since moving to CO as I'm trying to help my significant other who's 12 years my senior eat healthier and as a side effect the whole family is eating better.

When I lived in FL I would often take walks outside, enjoy swimming, running, walking with the kids while they ride their bikes, etc. Since I'm not acclimated to the cold climate I find it difficult to go outside almost 6 months out of the year due to how cold it is.

I'd love to join a local gym but right now due to my busy schedule that's not really an option. I work from home which I'm sure contributes to my inability to shed these pounds.

So does anyone have any ideas or tips that might help me to loose 5-10 lbs. while avoiding the outdoors?

Thanks

Tanya

[Calculusaurus]

Ah, CO isn't that bad.

There's plenty of activities to do outdoors, but for me the best answer has been the gym. I snowboard, snowshoe, and do all sorts of other fun winter activities. But to be honest, 7 hours of snowboarding doesn't feel like half the workout as 1 hour of intense cardio or strength training at the gym.

If you're too busy to join a gym, doesn't that mean you're too busy to workout in the first place?

[jwz]

I'll be watching this thread.
I could use some cold climate work-out ideas also.

I live in Greenland, and it's -32'C at the moment. *brrrr*

[Calculusaurus]

When I went winter camping I ate about 5000-7000 calories of high-GI sugar a day. And I still lost weight over the course of a week. Your body uses a lot of energy just to stay warm.

So maybe just go outside in a swimsuit and lay in the snow for a bit

On a serious note -- I remember reading about a study that showed that too much temperature regulation is linked to obesity. So too much AC in warm climates or too much indoor heat in cold climates disrupts your body's own temperature regulation, probably decreasing metabolism, or something. I'll try and find the article.

[ronart]

Yes, put a rhythmic record or CD on the stereo and get bopping to it.
Not just your legs make sure you wave your arms around too.
You don't need to have a partner for this, choose music you like
and don't be embarrased if the family walks in on you.

[Keith]

Have you considered a treadmill or elliptical machine? (Note: Try them out for a while to see if you actually like them before you shell out any $$$)

[Ree]

You might try getting a few workout videos that you can follow at home. I have a variety from step aerobics to stretching to yoga to weight lifting. I'd much rather be outdoors but when it's too cold or there's a downpour I pop one of my tapes into the TV and get to work! Check out Amazon.

[tstesen]

Originally Posted by Calculusaurus

If you're too busy to join a gym, doesn't that mean you're too busy to workout in the first place?

Thanks for your input Calculusaurus. I guess I should rephrase that statement. Working from home and caring full time for two children leaves me little time to leave the house in order to go to the gym. I realize there are some gyms that have child care such as Bally's which I belonged to in FL but the kids are less then thrilled to sit at the gym for an hour or two while mommy works out. My oldest is 7 so he's not that into going to "daycare". The little one, 4 today doesn't mind as much.

Tanya

[tstesen]

Originally Posted by Calculusaurus

When I went winter camping I ate about 5000-7000 calories of high-GI sugar a day. And I still lost weight over the course of a week. Your body uses a lot of energy just to stay warm.

So maybe just go outside in a swimsuit and lay in the snow for a bit

On a serious note -- I remember reading about a study that showed that too much temperature regulation is linked to obesity. So too much AC in warm climates or too much indoor heat in cold climates disrupts your body's own temperature regulation, probably decreasing metabolism, or something. I'll try and find the article.

LOL thanks Calculusaurus, this post made me smile. We do have an indoor pool which I used frequently when we first moved here however the heater or something is now broken and our homeowners association moves like molasses. It could be years before the pool's fixed as we've had a broken spa for over a year now. I tried swimming anyhow figuring it wouldn't be *that* cold. Big mistake . I was blue afterwards so I will skip winter swims for now. Besides walking home wet in the snow is no fun.

Tanya

[Scooter]

I run. I live in DC so its not horrible cold but this morning was 18 degrees.
It is a untrue that gold air will freeze your lungs. That is always the argument I hear. It takes the right cloths, the right attitude and a little acclimating to do it. Head to your nearest running store, they will hook you up with what you need as well as have a group to run with.

Scooter

[tstesen]

Originally Posted by Keith

Have you considered a treadmill or elliptical machine? (Note: Try them out for a while to see if you actually like them before you shell out any $$$)

Yes! I would love to purchase one. However even though I would use it and have done so many times at the gym when I had a membership in FL my boyfriend is convinced that I'll use it as a "clothes hanger" because that's what all his previous girlfriends and sister did.

I guess I will have to convince him somehow that I'm serious. He also doesn't really approve of my *need* to shed a few lbs. When we first met over 4 years ago I had just had my 2nd child and was quite heavy wearing a size 13. I worked really hard going to the gym, exercising and getting in shape. By the time we left FL I had worked my way down to a size 2 ( I was a 0 prior to children). He insists that he likes me the way I am and that I don't *need* to loose more weight.

However its not for him, its for me.

Tanya

[tstesen]

Originally Posted by Ree

You might try getting a few workout videos that you can follow at home. I have a variety from step aerobics to stretching to yoga to weight lifting. I'd much rather be outdoors but when it's too cold or there's a downpour I pop one of my tapes into the TV and get to work! Check out Amazon.

Thanks Ree. I've been looking into Tae bo. Are there any good yoga or aerobic videos that you recommend?

Tanya

[tstesen]

Originally Posted by Scooter

I run. I live in DC so its not horrible cold but this morning was 18 degrees.
It is a untrue that gold air will freeze your lungs. That is always the argument I hear. It takes the right cloths, the right attitude and a little acclimating to do it. Head to your nearest running store, they will hook you up with what you need as well as have a group to run with.

Scooter

Wow Scooter 18 and running. I know for the people that live here in CO its no big deal when its under 20 degrees but for someone like myself who lived in South Florida, a tropical climate for most of my life its very difficult to adjust to such extreme cold. In FL we have a range of temps from 100-70 mostly. In CO I have seen it go from over 100 degrees in the summer to below zero in the winter. To me that's NUTS.

Tanya

[Scooter]

Originally Posted by tstesen

Wow Scooter 18 and running. I know for the people that live here in CO its no big deal when its under 20 degrees but for someone like myself who lived in South Florida, a tropical climate for most of my life its very difficult to adjust to such extreme cold. In FL we have a range of temps from 100-70 mostly. In CO I have seen it go from over 100 degrees in the summer to below zero in the winter. To me that's NUTS.

Tanya

As nutty as it sounds, I prefer to run when it is around 35.
If it drops below that I need gloves and long tights. I use Mizuno tights and they actually crate of trap muscle warmth so you stay toasty warm and comfortable. You wear a beanie to trap head heat in and I find that winter running (Except for the black ice) very enjoyable.

Having said that I am very excited to go to Hawaii in three weeks and do some warm running although I know it will be very difficult for the first week. Got to re-acclimate to warm again.

[Ree]

Originally Posted by tstesen

Thanks Ree. I've been looking into Tae bo. Are there any good yoga or aerobic videos that you recommend?

Tanya

Tanya, I have all of Kathy Smith's workout videos. She's easy to follow and you can also power up and take the workout to the level that suits you. I have several yoga videos by Rodney Yee. My favorite is one I got as a beginner that includes an a.m. session and a p.m. session. Also I recorded several weeks worth of workout sessions on a regular television station and I use those as well. Having a wide variety helps keep the workouts from getting boring

Amazon.com has all kinds of workout videos and there are some you can buy used from individuals through Amazon. I've done this and haven't had any problems with the used ones. Helps if you're on a budget.

[Faith]

Today it is 1 degree in Minnesota. I don't enjoy outdoor exercise in the cold either, so I had been looking for an indoor option myself. My sister gave her kids a mini trampoline for Christmas, and I wondered if that was considered good exercise. So I went online to do some research and ended up getting an Urban Rebounder for myself.

Urban Rebounding program is a fun workout for all ages, shapes, and sizes.

It's not as expensive as a treadmill or elliptical and much easier to move around. Your kids might enjoy it also.

I've had it about a month, and have been using it fairly regularly. The package which I got at a local sporting goods store was missing the introductory DVD, so I don't have any workout tapes for it. I just get on and bounce, with variations (jumping jacks, run in place, hopping on one leg with my eyes closed (to improve balance) etc.) for 45-50 minutes everyday. I either watch TV or put on a music CD while I do it. There are exercise videos that you can buy, and resistance bands that you can buy that clip on. (Try HSN).

I'm about your weight, 5'2", and 53 years old. I really appreciate that it is easy on the joints and makes the movement seem pretty effortless. It is also supposed to be excellent for your lymph system. I haven't lost much weight yet, maybe a pound or two, but I need to get back into lifting weights more regularly for more effective help with that.

Faith