UnsafeAlpine

Hi all. I'm ready to admit I'm a Clydesdale. While not as heavy as some, I've been hovering between 220 and 230 since I got married last year. (Dang married life. )

I've been struggling this winter with my weight. The riding has been worse this year than it was last year and while I love snow sports, buying or renting it is beyond my budget. So what are some inexpensive options to controlling or losing weight in the winter? Any suggestions?

callmeclemens

I gained 10 lbs by december, though since January 15th Ive lost 9. Winters tough, real tough. I joined a local indoor pool and swin for an hour a day now.

BigUgly

It only gets worse. Wait until you get the sympathy weight gain should you guys decide to have kids!!

In the winter time you can easily fall into the funk. For me, I have my bike set up on a trainer which I have been getting on for about 60 mins almost every day. I added some running on the treadmill and some weightlifting, even some long walks. Just keep moving for at least 30 - 60 mins a day.

RichardGlover

I spent a decade in Michigan one winter, so I feel for you.

If you can't ride, then walk. If you're so inclined, you could take up jogging. Might need slightly more special-purpose gear for running. You can use running gear to walk, but walking can also be done in your normal winter clothes, if you HAVE good outdoor winter clothes.*

There are people who ride year-round. It takes an investment in winter riding gear. Not just clothes, but where you are, a winter beater bike might make a lot of sense - same principles as a winter beater car.


* - A lot of people go for years without decent winter clothes, even living in places like Michigan, simply because their only experience with the outdoors involves getting from one heated box (car or building) to another.

john423

I don't think I'm getting one at this point, but I WILL have a bike trainer by next winter. I'm quitting my gym at the end of March - hope I know what I'm doing - and trying to switch over to a combination of bike riding and stuff I can do around the house with dumbbells and "homemade" gym equipment to get a workout in. This winter, I'd like to do some of that dumbbell stuff along with work on a trainer.

Doohickie

How tall are you? If you are 6'-2", we pretty much have the same build.

One thing that seems to be helping a bit is that my wife (who's been vegetarian for several years) and I have been sharing vegetarian dinners. Not only is the food better because we cook at home, but I find I'm satisfied with a smaller portion. I think that when I make dinner an "event" (not just sitting down to eat, but the two of us cutting, mixing, and cooking together), we get "us" time during the preparation as well as during the meal, and the emphasis shifts from the food to our time together. We are also shopping for food on the weekends together.

Even if you're not ready to do something like vegetarian, look into a healthier diet and make the effort to cook at home as much as possible. Back in 2005 I had a lot of success with the South Beach Diet; you may want to look into it. If you do, I suggest reading the first ~1/3 of the book to understand how and why the diet works. It was an eye-opener for me.

thestoutdog

+1
We've been using a variety of recipes from the biggest loser and I have to say we enjoy the prep time together. We love most of the recipes and are making them a staple in the house.

UnsafeAlpine

I'm 6' but stocky. With good eating habits and an hour or two of exercise a day, I maintain a comfortable 175 to 180.

I'm actually a vegetarian which is probably the only reason I don't weigh 300. We actually do have family meals every night except on the weekend when we don't have the kids. Not working is probably having the greatest negative effect on me as I tend to snack while I'm at home. I've tried to break the habit most recently by forcing myself to ride to our local library daily but with our recent snow and temps below 10, I couldn't make a go of it. I wish I could afford a gym membership but we can't part with the money. My college has a gym but it's been closed the last couple years for remodeling.

I'm sure that once the temps increase and the snow clears, I'll be able to run, ride, and get out of the house more often but I'm perplexed as to what to do right now.

Seattle Forrest

I'm about 6'1" and 220, having fattened up for the winter. I exercise every day, but I find myself getting a lot hungrier this time of year.

Try kayaking. These can be rented for a decent price, and if you make friends with a fellow paddler, (s)he'll probably let you borrow his/her boat in the future. You only wind up burning about 400 kCal per hour, which might be half the rate of a hard bike ride, but it's still not bad. It's fun, it's a distraction, it connects you with your local waterways in a very intimate manner, gets you close to the wildlife, etc ... and gives you something to do other than eating. Plus, it works on upper body strength ( mostly your back if you're doing it right ) which a lot of cyclists can use help in.

Also, go for walks. See if you can spare 30 minutes, although 60 is ideal, to stroll around your neighborhood. You're only burning 200 to 300 kCal/hr this way, but again it's relaxing and it keeps you from eating.

Crazy88s

I usually run during the winter. I have a love/hate relationship with running. After each run I think "F this, running sucks" but I love the feeling and it's great for cardio and endurance.

What about snow-shoes?

exile

I ride year round so you will find me on my bike.

Wogster

Spend around 50 minutes on the trainer 4 times a week or at least have since mid December.... Gives the old bod a little work out and keeps me from becoming old Jello legs....

poperszky

Snow shoes

Doohickie

Consider getting snacks for the kids that you don't like or wouldn't eat, or doing without them altogether. I'm a sucker for chocolate chip cookies and we always had them around. My sons are out of the house now so we don't need to buy them. There are times when I prowl around the house looking for something to snack on, but if it's not handy I can't eat.

marmot

How about cross-country skiing when it's too snowy to run? You can do it in any park or field, and it's even better exercise than biking. Used equipment often turns up in thrift stores and charity shops and costs next to nothing, especially if the boots and bindings are not the latest type. Do you know how to ice skate? That's another good, fun workout that doesn't cost much at all at your municipal ice rink, if you have one.
Snowshoeing is free, once you own the equipment, and there's always walking briskly. Snow just makes it a more intense workout.

Seve

The most budget minded exercise is of course, walking. Next to that for an additional ~ $30 (poles) you could investigate nordic walking. Snow shoeing with or without poles is probably the next cheapest. Often you can find some reasonable priced used equipment.

Also, sites like craiglist in your area might a few bike trainer bargains as well. I have seen where folks have picked up some incredible bargains.

jbrow1

I'm 6'1" and down to 175 now. Last year this time I was 220. To icy around me to ride, so I've been jogging outside, swimming laps at the local center, and bought some nashbar rollers for the basement. Getting warm enough to ride lately though
Good luck !

Wogster

Now is the time for looking for deals on snowshoes, skis, and skates, most people that are going to buy this year already have, so a store manager looks at the 47 pairs of snowshoes they have left, and puts them on sale to get rid of them. I expect that bike trainers may be moderate sellers right now as people look at the fact they haven't been on the bike in 4 months and would like to get some pre-season in. I've been hauling tush on the trainer since mid-December, 400km in January, 230km this month. If the weather is nice on Thursday-Friday may start the outdoor season...

stevel610 

Schwalbe Marathon Winter with Carbide Studs! Not perfect but I ride a lot more with them than without. Ice is awesome. Snow up to 2" is good (treads clog over that). Semi-frozen slush gets exciting until studs grip pavement. Overall very good and highly recommended!

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...0/scoi82-1.jpg

Like these but 26"

cyclist2000

I got a trainer for Christmas this year have been riding every day except today since I am traveling for work. I have been maintaining my weight and don't feel too hungry.

aenlaasu

Trainer and show-shoes here. I've lost almost 10 pounds since mid-Jan.

roka

I spent a large portion of my life in Michigan so I know what you're going through. I HATE winter but I was stuck there. So I took up cross country skiing, snow shoeing, skating and even a brief bout of winter camping. The only thing I can honestly say I enjoyed was the cross county skiing. And even that was miserable at times due to the cold. My real solution was moving to Phoenix. Today my wife and I took a leisurely bike ride around Tempe Town Lake and through the ASU campus. It was sunny and in the 70s. Retirement, forced or not, does have its benefits. :-)

Mr. Beanz

Ummm ride our bikes! What are we sposed to do?

Captain Blight

HTFU and ride. You're no tubbier than I ever was, or am, and I ride in Minneapolis every damn day.

Sorry to be the voice of tough love, but being self-indulgent is what got you (us) into this mess. Have a little self-discipline, harden the fuokc up, and ride the bike.

cyclokitty 

Winter walking is fun as long as you have decent boots. Clothing wise, wearing tights under wind pants are more comfortable than jeans as well as long sleeved undershirt and a wicking tshirt beneath a wind proof jacket. I typically walk for an hour about 4-6 times a week and when needed, squeeze in a couple of errands.