It can be time consuming due to the sheer length and duration, but I have found fat falling off in the places I have most issues (lower abdomen, chest, and back). It's free, it's super chill, and I have found it clearing my mind too. In combination with more intense regime, I think it is a a necessary supplemental exercise. I think walking outside is probably better (it feels more natural to me at least), but just a plain ol' treadmill or other cardio machine will probably get those steps up. Its super low-impact, easy, and do-able.
I'm dropping weight and I'm finding my brain rebooting in some places as well. It's overall super great and I encourage every Hexbear to increase their step count.
How to get more steps when its snowy and icy 6 months out of the year and I live in an upstairs apartment?
I actually don't mind getting out in the cold its kinda fun in a way (though isn't it maybe bad for your lungs to exercise in super cold air? idk). but climbing over snowbanks and falling on ice slicks isn't my idea of a nice walk. I have studded tires for my bike so that still gets use, but its an ebike and I don't usually go that far, so its not as much exercise as I might like. Barely enough to keep me sane lol
maybe I'll get slip on cleat things for the ice... but historically it's been kinda hard to make time to go for loooong walks. Last winter I was walking to the bus (like a mile because buses here suck) and fell so hard I fucked up my laptop inside its bag. And I was being super careful, it was just so icy (fuckers that don't clear and deice their sidewalks get the wall)
I get my steps in and then some while working outside year round, and it's currently the most shitty snowy year here on record. Best way to motivate yourself to get more steps in is when you have the economic gun to your head lmao
yah last year was miserable here for snow (and especially snow clearing, the actual quantity was high but not record breaking). and I actually did get a lot of steps in by taking the bus to a poorly served area when biking got too miserable due to ice rutting. it's just that it resulted in some gnarly falls
Ah wading through the snow drifts is an outstanding way to get in both cardio and a full-body workout
I have better winter clothes/gear than ever before so I should just embrace it
It does depend on what you're doing. If you're doing lots of waiting around better to bundle up hard-core and eat the overheating you'll experience while being a snowbunny, but if you're being super active most of the time outside then dressing until you feel cool or slightly chilly while when not in significant motion will help you stay comfortable while constantly working out.
yeah its a real balancing act, especially biking because you have to add extra wind to the mix. I need to figure out a better middle-ground pants layer, my jeans+wool long underwear strategy is okay but has no wind resistance.
I usually go with working pants that have a really tight weave on them in combo with wool long underwear or synth sweat pants with an underlayer of thermals. The over pants stops most of the wind and the inner pants forms an air buffer for the thermal under pants to work their magic
There are small walking pads you can get for around 250 (cheaper used) which could fill in that space
oh interesting so it's basically just a treadmill without a big frame/handles? I could possibly do that while I work.... Compelling idea honestly. Not sure I'd stick to using it but anything's better than sitting at a desk and then sitting on a couch and not moving at all...
Yeah I find having workout stuff in the room when I'm watching tv or listening to podcasts or whatever motivates me to workout if only for like 20 minutes just to stay moving.
Damn I didn't really consider that. I live in a pretty warm year long place. Maybe a fitness center of some kind?
yeah maybe. The options are mostly either really expensive or cheap big box places in car-infested shitholes that I couldn't reasonably get to except by car. I have done this before but never stuck with it longer than a couple months. having to drive to the gym is a bit of a downer lol but its probably still worth
Cheap Winter beater bike? If you can store one, you can prolly store two, at the third is where it actually takes up more space.
Doesn't really have to do anything other than turn the wheels and brake. Hell, gearing is optional if it's to replace a nice stroll instead of transportation or go fast.
I'm already biking in the winter but I could go farther/not use the electric assist for more exercise yah. its not as chill as walking though. Maybe I should just do the ice cleats