We are down in the 40s in the morning for now and I’m not good about waiting until later in the day to do my exercise, even though it warms up nicely. So- time to dig out what passes for winter clothes in Texas. I did run/walk an hour today and didn’t freeze. I try to do some yoga and stretching about 5 days a week. I want to work on balance as I get older. (balance as in I don’t want to fall and balance as in doing different forms of exercise.)
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I hate winter. Apologies to those folks who have to deal with worse, but high 30’s and low 40’s here in the morning make it near impossible to workout in the AM. At the peak of day right now, temps get to the low 60’s and that’s when I get my workout done.
But darkness has been rolling around 4:50 PM here and then I have to turn on the one 75w bulb, which makes everything just a bit tougher. I’m hoping my gym will open “outside operations” soon, but I’m sure they have much to figure out.
One undesirable effect of winter here is that my longer runs are curtailed due to the temperature and short days.
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And I’m the weirdo. I have been running in the dark for so long, I prefer it. I hate daylight for running, and I prefer it to be cold. I also love when the garage door light shuts off and I’m left with 1 bulb. It makes me feel cozy and focused. It’s just me and the weights.
That being said, lifting in the cold can be a different story, especially when one is all sweaty from running. I do have a space heater, and I’ve found as long as it’s in the 40s inside I can be OK. The workouts where I am actively moving (hello Shaun T!) I even get down to my sports bra mid-way. But one morning last week, it was in the 20s outside and the upper 30s in the gym - and it was yoga day. That was not the most pleasant. I even changed into my after workout sweats and kept on my hat and kept putting my socks on the heater so I could then transfer them to my frozen feet.
I do wonder what it will be like when outside temps are in the single digits/low 10s. That’s fine for me for running, but if the gym is below freezing, I dunno how that will go. It doesn’t happen often and not for long stretches, so I thought I might just go to the gym then… and then I look at our numbers and go… uh… maybe not. It’s only for 2.5-3 months and then I’ll be miserable for running again. First, I will probably play around with changing out of the wet clothes before heading to the gym. But I don’t like to change clothes. (lazy!)
Today I was glad I was able to run and not have to do cardio at the gym. Mondays are the day I do NOT want to be there, but it was supposed to be raining and in the 30s. So I drove to the gym and ran laps around the block in case it started to rain - it didn’t. yay! And then back to my shed where I did P90X back and bis.
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Lighting in my home gym only becomes a problem when I’m jumping up and trying to find the bar to grip it for pullups, toes to bar, etc. And also finding the correct footing and hand placement for squats, deadlifts and Oly lifts are crucial with when dealing with hundreds of lbs. So, almost all the time.
For example, when sumo deadlifting, your toes/feet are spread almost to the plates on each side of the barbell. One mishap and your dropping a few hundred lbs onto your feet.
I took a spin class once and “mood” lighting works great in there. 
If safety’s an issue, they make battery operated floodlights/spotlights.
My pull-up bar is by the light, so that’s not an issue for me. 
I like to run in the quiet predawn hours, too. I enjoy being the only person out. BUT I also like to sleep, so that does not happen as often as if should.
There is a good, free yoga series on youtube called Yoga with Adriene. She has all kinds of workouts.
Got to say I am missing my old spin place these days. The studio is trying to stream workouts again like they did at the start of Covid, but are having technical issues. And tbh I’d just as soon watch TV and spin when alone.
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Yes - lots of online options for classes. I’ve done a little bit of Fitness Blender (mostly arms). I am also taking advantage of $5/week (senior rate) for unlimited zoom classes via our local rec center. So far I’ve mostly done zumba gold and tried a few others. I do know from occasional yoga classes at work that I really benefit from an instructor giving feedback on form (and like having fun with classmates), but I did try one pilyoga zoom class. Definitely do like the “no travel time” for online classes.
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I’m trying not to invest too much money in my gym, since as soon as gyms open again, I’ll be back there. I did look at a rechargeable portable LED work light, but a good one is like almost $200.
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Agree with @abasket about mixing it up. I run but not every day. On my non running days I practice yoga, do some strength work (Fitness Blender) and walk.
I don’t really mind colder weather but I grew up in northern Illinois so my body is pretty acclimated to it. Ran yesterday at 30 degrees and felt fine. I prefer the temps in the 40’s though.
I am a morning runner but unless I have time, I am on the treadmill in the winter a lot as I am not comfortable running in the dark, even in a group. I have fallen a few times while running/walking and I am nervous about not seeing something I will trip on or roll an ankle. I tried with headlamps, etc. and just didn’t work for me.
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Yay we have our first snow! We moved from a much snowier location, so I know I will get a lot less this year, and this is just a dusting, but it’s nice. I’ve walked in the freezing temps recently but not sure if I will go out if the roads might be icy. I’ll maybe do an indoor workout today.
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I also am afraid of falling in the dark or on ice. I try to get out when it’s light. Today was 45 minutes before a work call. I might ride the bike a bit later. Good job everyone.
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(I’m still not good with these new like/emoticon buttons. It’s better on a computer, but I can’t tell what I’ve done on my phone.)
Today was pretty good. Run felt achy, but the timed (and pushed) middle 5K was done in 22 minutes. I didn’t look at my watch until the end on purpose, so I wouldn’t be depressed. I guess if I have to feel bad, at least it was fast. LOL. The uphill way home was much, much, much slower. I did not take the usual way through the park, because we have a holiday light display - different non-profit groups make displays and the one with the most votes wins the $$$. But apparently, someone vandalized it the other day. I was paranoid cops would be patrolling the park and think I was up to no good. (I have been mistaken for a bank robber before. 
) Then an new (to me) core video that I loved. I will definitely do that one again and often. And then “Vertical Plyo.” Started out very stiff and achy and wanted to quit, but I got into it and had fun by the end. At least I have no problems laughing at myself. I crack myself up thinking if the trainer could just see me in action - or inaction. It was a 20* wind chill this morning which felt good for running hard. The shed started out at 38* but warmed up to 42*. This will definitely be a winter to remember workout wise.
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I have to say “the cold never bothered me anyway” when I’m active. It is all about the layering.
On that note, it looks like the windchill will be in the mid-to-upper 20s when I’m playing soccer tonight.
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Yep, I’m a wimp in terms of the cold, but I also wear shorts virtually all year long.
Today, since the weather at mid day was beautiful and warm, 72 degrees or so, I ran for 5 miles at the trail. And then came home for a relatively quick session of pull-ups and toes-to-bar for core work.
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I wear shorts a lot too, but when temps dip below the high 40s I switch to capris and then long pants when really cold. (Been researching lots online to find a warm, somewhat breathable pair of cold weather running pants with pockets. I returned some from GAP. Today I received 3 pair from Kohls to try - looks like the UA joggers are keepers, but too thin for the really cold weather).
I do a lot of layering on top in order to be warm enough at the beginning of the run but not overheated later. It does feel odd sometimes at end of the run to be in shorts and sleeveless bike shirt when some of the walkers are all bundled up in coats.
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Yesterday was a deadlift day. First, I worked up to a single heavy and then the HIIT was 12 minutes of front rack AMRAP of DB squats and also EMOM of 5 lighter deadlifts.
Today, I picked up the rower that the gym owner set aside for me and then drove over to the trail and ran 5 miles.
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Hullo everyone!
I wanted to pop in and share some news! I had an interview the week before Thanksgiving and just got a call that the director put in a hire request for me to HR.
I FINALLY got a job!
It’s going to be a shock to my system because I have not held a regular 9-5 M-F job since I was in my early 20s. And for the last 5 years, I’ve been mostly WFH (with lots of time for CC).
Nevertheless, I’m going to give it a shot. Pay is mediocre at best, but the benefits appear solid.
I’ll hang on to the bookkeeping I do for the restaurants as long as I’m able and as long as the restaurants are open. Business has been TERRIBLE, and it’s a long way until May (when we can seat outside).
I’ll have to figure out a whole new routine for food and lifting, and walking the dog. The commute is next to nothing, so hopefully I can bop home and let him out mid-day.
I hope you are all well and still doing the thing, whether it’s running, swimming, soccer, CF, etc.
===waving==
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Congratulations @Midwest67 ! That’s exciting. Best of luck to you.
As for exercise pants, I do have a number of days even where I live where I need pants. I find that I rarely get too hot in them, even though we don’t have too frigid of weather in Texas. If we do, I’m inside. Sporthill makes good exercise pants and a small company called GypsyRunner has a line called ColdGear that have a light fleece lining and pockets on the legs (don’t zipper).
Hour run/walk for me this morning.
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Congrats Midwest - you have earned some good news! Solid benefits are worth a lot.
I’m not sure who commented about exercise pants and this stupid board is not scrolling up tonight worth s_it so I don’t know what the question/discussion was…but I do recommend some kind of bottom while exercising!! 
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@Midwest67 - CONGRATS on the job! That’s really great. It’s nice that it’s such an easy commute.
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