How Do You Workout in Winter?

Working out in the winter should be easier. It is always cold and nasty outside. You should want to do something to fill the void of time. Watch a good motivating movie and commit some goals to paper for the winter.

A good movie would be... GI Jane... yes I recommended that because you are a woman, but that even pumps me up!

You can try setting an image goal for the spring time... I know I am a little late here, but set that image goal and that should keep you driven. That is as long as you want it bad enough.

I have a dog, so no matter what the weather is, I feel obligated to take him out for a walk 3-4 times a week (I wish I could every day!). Also, cleaning in the house, it doesn't seem like much, but moving couchs to vacume behind, washing those dishes that never get used, oiling the furnitur, and such takes a lot of energy and makes you shift and bend in ways you don't normally have to. Plus, you get a clean house to boot! Hope that helps.

I train at home and use a kettlebell. I tend to dislike driving to the gym in the winter so training quick and hard at home is the answer for me.

Are you kidding? Don't you remember that Siberian training scene in Rocky IV before he gets in the ring with Drago? Nothing beats the chill of a frozen olympic bar across my palms and steamy breaths in a cold basement gym.

Maybe it's a guy thing :)

I understand and have the same problem, I hate being cold! If I can keep my ears and my hands warm, then once I'm running for a while the rest of me warms up. Get a good headband for the ears and some gloves, then go for it. I figure that unless the conditions are extreme, I can stand just about anything for 30-45 minutes. The great feeling from doing your workout and feeling good is well worth the few minutes of discomfort.

I am doing pretty well alternating going out to yoga classes and using the elliptical. The weekends get tough though. But I'm trying to do at least a little something every day!

I remind myself to "just do it" and think of how great in shape I'll be when the warm weather and outdoor activities start. I so like the way I feel after a workout, to counter act how depressed I feel with the incessant rain.

Winter workouts are fun. If you're like everyone else I'm thinking your kids have lots of stuff going. While they're doing a class go walking or ask the place that gives their classes about running a concurrent class for the parents. You can also shovel snow, ice skate and sled as the weather allows. Hiking is also a good activity. You don't have to worry so much about snakes and bugs and it really gets you warmed up.

Look from a different angle.... Try to think of training in winter as being a good thing, maybe your cold, but after a few minutes of jogging... you will actually feel quite well! Anyhow, all the hard work is done, so you can enjoy yourself the most when summer comes along. Unless it is snowing, or there's a torrential down pour, there really is no excuse!

Part of the weekly routine. In order to maintain my weight and positive mental state, I make exercise a part of my weekly routine. I pay for my aerobics ahead of time and I make an appointment with my weight trainer so if I don't go I #1 waste money and #2 end up canceling an appointment which I don't like to do. So, I keep on truckin'!

Winter workout routine. I know exactly what you mean, Lela. I tend to want to stick close to home myself but that's no reason you should stop working out altogether until the weather gets nicer. I tend to pop in an exercise video (usually something like yoga) and just work out in my living room when I'm too lazy to go to the gym. The great thing about this approach is that it works even when it isn't cold. :)

Absolutely. I find that I am even more keen to work out in the winter than in the summer. When the sun stays out late I am more likely to skip a yoga class and enjoy the evening. In the winter I feel like I need a workout to get warm!