How to Lose Weight While You Crochet

I’ve told my family for ages now that if I could lose weight while I crocheted, I’d be the most fit person in the house.

It’s such a sit-down hobby that it works against you in the health department.  I might be at it for hours without moving and that’s just not good for one’s heart or circulation. 

It’s so darn relaxing, though, to sit there with the hook in one hand and the yarn passing through the other while I binge watch Game of Thrones (for the umpteenth time).

My day job is no better.  I work online sitting at a desk all day long.

I force myself to get up and walk around now and then and it helps that I work at home so there’s plenty for me to get up and do – like laundry and dishes.  Nothing nearly as fulfilling as putting the finishing touches on a blanket for my mother, for example.

 I knew that if I could just stay active while crocheting it would make a big difference.

The challenge is that your hands and arms are already occupied AND you have strands of yarn that you can’t allow to get tangled in anything like a stationary bike.

You also don’t want to be wobbling back and forth while trying to concentrate on getting the end of your hook into the right stitch.

But, when my father sent me a portable eliptical machine I realized he’d found the perfect solution.

Stamina In Motion Portable Eliptical Machine

I can use this while sitting on the sofa watching TV and crocheting away.  I’m short – 5 foot 2 inches – and have no problem reaching my feet to the pedals while leaning all the way back.  It’s very comfortable to use!

It’s also extremely solid and quiet.  I’ve read reviews from others saying they heard a squeaking sound but mine has not made any noise.  The whooshing sound is barely a whisper and I don’t even have to turn up the TV while I’m using it.

My yarn never reaches anywhere near the pedals and has never tangled in the machine.  The motion is concentrated in the legs so I’m not moving around much from the waist up.  This allows me to crochet as fast and comfortably as I normally would.

While it is heavy, there are two convenient spots you can grab onto as handles to move the eliptical machine around from room to room.  I store it under my desk so I can use it in the office and then move it to the living room when I’m going to crochet.

There’s a good range of tension you can control through a knob on the front so you can start out at an easy level and work your way up.

I realize it’s not going to give me a full work out – it’s mostly cardio with some muscle required in the thighs but it keeps my blood moving while I get to keep doing my favorite hobby. 

If you’ve been looking for a way to stay more active without sacrificing crochet time, I highly recommend you pick up one of these portable eliptical machines!