Walking (and other exercise) in the wintertime

So as the weather has been getting colder, I realize that my current favorite form of exercise (walking around the lake) is going to start getting really unpleasant very soon. On bad weather days, I usually walk 2 floors of the MOA. But the holidays will be upon us soon... I have a perosnal rule about NOT going to the MOA from Thanksgiving - New Year's because crowds get me all twitchy. I suppose I could shell out for a health club membership or ask "Santa" for a treadmill, but I'm already planning to take time off of work because of the surgery, and less work = less income.

So, to make a long post short, what do you all do for exercise when it's freezing outside?

Hi!

Well, some might say go to the library and get a walking video for inside, or some other form of exercise on cd.

What I do is dance aerobics.  I've belonged to so many through the years, I know what to do!  Even if you don't, shake yer booty!

Hope that helps!
~Tere

I have done water arobics at the local indoor pool.  I have also gone to the AmericInn and swam laps at there pool.  They sometimes have deals buy 10 get 3 free or what ever.   I have also just walked around our house it makes a circle so I go around in circles.  Good luck to you.................

I walk in the winter until the temp drops to 5 below or so.  Even at that temp I can walk for a half hour before I get cold.  Although it is coldest in the morning, there is usually little wind, so that is when I walk.  When the temp gets ridiculous or the winter winds kick up I use the small gym we have at work.  I avoid the treadmill because it seems like the road to nowhere to me, but I do use the eliptical machine.  I also lift weights in the winter, but I use low or moderate amounts of weight to tone rather than building up bulk.  This winter I hope to get out cross-country skiing on the weekends and maybe join the Y so I can try swimming......I don't float as well as I did before surgery, so I will be forced to keep moving unless I want to sink.

RP

Hi, EJ.

I go to Fitness 19, and my dues are only $15/month, which is very affordable for me.  Also, you could look into community education classes - they usually have affordable fitness classes for 3 months or so at a time, and sometimes access to school pools, etc.  Or you could check with local schools/community colleges to see if it's possible to use an indoor track, or do laps/stairs in the gym, etc. 

Good luck finding something that works for you!

Kathy

Hi EJ....are there any schools near you? Some schools allow people to walk in the morning or afternoons when  school isn't in session. I have done that myself.

I agree....walking in any mall at the Christmas season doesn't appeal to me...it makes me so uncomfortable.

You could do 3-5 pound weights or get an exercise ball...there is so much you can do with that. This is what I am doing now.

Good luck...hope you find something that will work for you.

Hugs...connie d

I still try to walk, just much more bundled up.

I also highly recommend snow tubing at Elm Creek.  It's a BLAST, and even tho you're riding down the hill on your butt, and riding UP the hill on the 'magic carpet', you'd be SURPRISED at the amount of exercise you get!  I even did it pre-WLS!

I'm going to try to set up another OH night at the tubing hill this winter - I LOVE IT! 

http://www.threeriversparks.org/activities/tubing.aspx

I'm guessing you are close to bloomington/Mpls area if you are going to the MOA.  If that's the case, the Metrodome allows walking-I'm not sure of the schedule but I'm sure if you call you could get it.

I have a lot of exercise videos that I use in the winter.  When the weather isn't too bad, I still walk outside also. 

Tubing at Elm Creek sounds like a lot of fun!  Last year (pre surgery) I rented some snow shoes there and walked some of the trails they have groomed.  That was a lot of fun, and great exercise.