[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by leftee

Uh no ... doesn't matter what climate you're in with the availability of indoor gyms/pools, hockey rinks, basketball courts, racquet sports, etc.

And the willingness to pay for that kind of infrastructure. I'd guess that a far higher percentage of high schools with more than 600 students Up North have their own swimming pool (indoors up there of course)than what you get down here.

And winter is the time when it's easy to go outside to exercise down here. Come August, you need to finish up running for the day by about 9:30am lest you be courting heat stroke.

[Ken E]

Originally Posted by leftee

Staying fit is about self-motivation, not where you live. Florida has no advantage over any other state ...

You got that right. A couch potato is a couch potato no matter where you live. I have never seen so many weight loss clinics anywhere as I did in Florida. Sit outside some of those buffet style diners someday and watch what comes out the door.

[BucFan]

....because only Florida has buffet style diners.

[Fl1150]

Florida is a pretty active state because the people move here to do that anyway and escape up north so they can be outdoors more. Motivation is the key to any goal of loosing weight so I believe weather plays a part but not exactly is the complete reason why. I mean you live by the beach why wouldn't you want to keep your body up at least that how it seems in areas like Miami Beach. Certain states in the south have some of highest rates of obesity but why do people ignore states like Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania , West Virginia and Indiana when their obese rates are all pretty high above average ?

[Redgrasshat]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

I was in Tampa/St. Petersburg/Sarasota about a month ago and was quite surprised at the amount engaging in outdoor exercise, whether it was jogging, people canoeing in parks, biking, etc. Here in Indiana, outdoor activity has been pretty much a no-go since November and will likely be very limited until April. It's either too cold, too soggy, or too snowy to do much of anything outside. There was more activity going on in FL during the winter than IN in the summer!

Today it's in the single digits and windy and will remain that way for the rest of the week. When it's that cold, I am not keen on even getting out of the warm car to go to the gym. I pretty much go to work, go home, and repeat. The weather here really limits physical activity of any kind.

Even in the summer, you can swim in FL and do about everything you do in the cooler months, but you have to be somewhat more careful not to overexert yourself and to stay hydrated. It's not like you're outright prohibited from engaging in many outdoor activities like you'd be up north during the cold months.

Do you think the weather in FL is more conducive to staying healthy and physically active?

No.

[vaughanwilliams]

Originally Posted by Emigrations

I pretty much go to work, go home, and repeat. The weather here really limits physical activity of any kind.

You just described Florida for most of the year, IMO.

[macrodome2]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

And the willingness to pay for that kind of infrastructure. I'd guess that a far higher percentage of high schools with more than 600 students Up North have their own swimming pool (indoors up there of course)than what you get down here.

LOL! And we pave our roads with gold!

[PDF]

Originally Posted by vaughanwilliams

You just described Florida for most of the year, IMO.

I don't think it really limits physical activity, though. People just make excuses. I'm always outside in the summer...I just put up with it.

[UKWildcat1981]

Training in the heat and humidity can get you in the best shape of your life so it can be an advantage if you are motivated. Not my cup of tea, I love doing cardio in gyms and lighting weights indoors with friends, I don't like to exercise outdoors be to each his.her own.

[PDF]

Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

Training in the heat and humidity can get you in the best shape of your life so it can be an advantage if you are motivated. Not my cup of tea, I love doing cardio in gyms and lighting weights indoors with friends, I don't like to exercise outdoors be to each his.her own.

I love to run, but I'm not an idiot. I'll only do it in morning or at night in summer. However, I love to walk instead of drive...so I'm often walking in that humidity. Also love playing tennis and basketball, activities that always occur in the middle of the afternoon.

That said, I hate the humidity and can't stand it. But people just need to get out there. As much as I hate it, I don't let the humidity deter me from going outside and doing something. Sometimes I'll have a slight hesitation, but I'll still do it.