Snow! Ice! Cold!

In Seattle we've been pretty much house (or apartment, in my case) bound due to the weather, and as I watch the news I've noticed we're not alone here in the Northwest. Over the past week I've taken a few short walks but I don't really have the gear for a long outdoor haul; and getting some substantial movement, let alone lifting has been a puzzle. A lifter in another forum suggested loaded up book bags, which I tried with some success; and I've done some higher step-ups, lots of lunges and push-ups, and today I ventured down Queen Anne to a near-by gym when the bus couldn't take me to my own.

As snow, ice, and cold plague our neighborhoods, how've you been getting creative about your workouts?

Well I don't have to be TOO creative, as my workout stuff's all in the garage.  Other than putting a heater out there before I go out, not much change for me.  (Marysville, by the way  )

I will say that I shoveled snow for about three hours yesterday.  You want a workout, give that a whirl.  Great for back and arms.  

And by "great" I mean OW.  

Yes, I never thought I would look at snow shovelers with envy, but here I am :)

I'm not able to get to the gym again today, like I was hoping. I guess I should say I'm choosing not to venture out there. Huge hunks of ice have been dropping off of the trees, buildings and wires over our sidewalks. SUVs are finally having some success getting up the hill, but they are careening all over the place. I fell on my butt twice yesterday trying to get home from a trip to the top of the hill. I've been reading that outside of Seattle folks can get around some, but the city has decided not to salt our roads. DOT hasn't even attempted to clear the street. Our hill and parking lot probably look worse than most areas. We won't be going anywhere tomorrow. 

So, my solution, laundry! Our machines are in the basement and our unit is on the fourth floor up. I run the stairs two or three times between each load, I've done step-ups, more lunges - HATING those, and jumping jacks like they are going out of style. I was wrapping up our "very Bartell's christmas" gifts today and in between each one I'd do a set of jacks.  I just have to laugh - it's all so absurd.

Yikes - Marysville - and if I recall your job has you in a vehicle and other precarious situations. I hope you are getting around safely. Enjoy your OW! Hopefully there won't be too much more snow today.

Take it easy, Pete, and Happy Holidays!

LOL that's good.  Stairs are killers.  You should have done the jumping jacks in the holiday aisle @ Bartells though...that'd be video camera material.

As for getting around up here, my work was kind enough to gimme a lil' 4x4.  Not so hot blasting up I-5 to a call, but in this stuff, it's like a tank.  I haven't met an impassible hill yet.  It also helps if you take vacation over the week of Christmas.  I'm being a homebody too.

Good luck with your improv workouts, sounds like you're making the best of it--try to stay upright though.  I feel your pain on the lack of snow removal.  Walked down to get my mail today and about killed myself.

Happy holidays to you too.  I'll be thinking of everyone tomorrow when I blow past my daily calorie limit at about 11 AM.