Living in Yellowknife

Getting Fit in Yellowknife

GLOBAL FITNESS MEDIA SHOOT 12182009 069There’s no easy way to put this:   I’ve packed on the pounds since I moved up here last February.  Be it the cold creating an out-of-control urgency for carbs or the long, dark nights with my new big screen TV, my wardrobe no longer fits.

“It’s time to take myself in hand” I muttered Jan 1st.  But unlike Vancouver where there’s low-cal everything everywhere and a seawall that begs to be run, Yellowknife looked awfully cold and daunting.  I don’t like exercise at the best of times, but I knew it wasn’t just a case of eating less (although, alas, that’s part of the plan.  Farewell, TimHo’s French Vanilla Capuccinos!  Farewell, snacks, gorgeous, home-made snacks, on every third workstation at work!) … it wasn’t just a case of eating less but of integrating activity into my lifestyle.  *le sigh*  I’d much rather be blogging.

I gingerly considered my options.  I am simply not a gym person.  And that UltraIcyRockDeathByColdExcercise thing going on up here just makes me faint to think of it.   Xnay that. I also get bored easily of any one activity.  So with a buddy in Vancouver, we came up with a list of activity options.  Turns out, there’s a real variety of possibilities!

  • squash
  • shoveling snow
  • swimming with the help of a coworker who coaches
  • Wii Fit / Active
  • shoveling snow
  • power walks
  • yoga
  • Zumba (talk to Donna Wong.  Exercise has never had such an evangelist!)
  • X-country skiing
  • Snowshoeing
  • shoveling snow
  • skating
  • Agility with the daschunds (in the spring)
  • Running groups at Bodyworks (in the spring)
  • exercise podcasts (justifies the big screen tv, non?)
  • Riding lessons

So here’s my plan.   I’ve created a set of activities, but only through March.  Then, to prevent boredom, I’ll switch it up to something spring-ier.

For now, I’ve joined the Raquet Club.   I have to give them a shoutout.  It’s the most down-to-earth, cozy kinda/sorta gym I’ve ever been to.  We even have candles in our Nia class, for heaven’s sake!   And people there come in all shapes and sizes (and I contribute to that) and age ranges.  It’s not the yummy mummy lululemon club (which is not to say there aren’t any.  It’s just a nice variety of people.).  Anyway, if I can be comfortable there, I’m guessing anyone can be.  I imagine the same applies to Breakaway and BodyWorks

So it’s Nia Class at the club on Tuesday evenings, and Spin at the club on Saturday mornings.

Thursday, a group of us power-walk at lunch to the hospital and back.  Anyone is welcome to join us – we meet 12:05 in the courthouse lobby.

And last, I’m hoping to learn to snowshoe  (pssst – anyone have a second hand pair you’d like to sell?  I’m too cheap to invest in a new pair til I find out if I like it).

Wish me luck, folks.  And if you have any more ideas, I’m wanting to hear them – leave a comment below.

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About the author

Nancy Zimmerman

14 Comments

  • Hey, I found those ice-gripper things for your shoes! (I’m SO eloquent, I know.) They were in Wal-Mart, near the pharmacy. I think they were about $20.

  • Hey, I found those ice-gripper things for your shoes! (I’m SO eloquent, I know.) They were in Wal-Mart, near the pharmacy. I think they were about $20.

  • last year I went skijoring with my dog quite a bit. If you are going to be cross country skiing why not slap a harness on your little guy and bring him along?

  • last year I went skijoring with my dog quite a bit. If you are going to be cross country skiing why not slap a harness on your little guy and bring him along?

  • @Megan – hallelujah! That’s great news! Tx. Power walking is so much nicer without slipping and sliding and cracking my tailbone.
    @Mira skijoring? skijoring? OH! SKIJOORRRING! that sounds totally fun. (but the daschunds look dubious)

  • @Megan – hallelujah! That’s great news! Tx. Power walking is so much nicer without slipping and sliding and cracking my tailbone.
    @Mira skijoring? skijoring? OH! SKIJOORRRING! that sounds totally fun. (but the daschunds look dubious)

  • are you a savvy squash player? i’d love to have someone to play squash with a beat me up pretty good! i’m free on Tuesday and Thursday nights after 7, haven’t played ‘really’ for 3 years and am ready to put some pounds behind me. let me know mrhooie@gmail.com

  • are you a savvy squash player? i’d love to have someone to play squash with a beat me up pretty good! i’m free on Tuesday and Thursday nights after 7, haven’t played ‘really’ for 3 years and am ready to put some pounds behind me. let me know mrhooie@gmail.com

  • well, in all honesty, if you’re looking for some one to play with, let me know. easiest way to get better is to play! and i haven’t playd in a long time

  • well, in all honesty, if you’re looking for some one to play with, let me know. easiest way to get better is to play! and i haven’t playd in a long time

  • Can’t understate the cardio benefits of squash. It doesn’t get more intense than that, even at a low level. I use it almost exclusively for staying in shape during hockey season.

  • Can’t understate the cardio benefits of squash. It doesn’t get more intense than that, even at a low level. I use it almost exclusively for staying in shape during hockey season.

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