7 Ways to Stay Active This Winter

It’s another theme day here at the Science and Health Channel, and most everyone is posting about the holidays. But not all of us, me included, celebrate holidays, so I wanted to do something else appropriate to the season. To that end, here are 7 tips for staying active and getting your daily exercise even when it’s cold and yucky out.

1. Suck it up and take a walk anyway. There’s something about the bracing air on a cold, sunny winter day that just gives a girl energy. Don’t believe me? Try it. If nothing else, you’ll get a move on just trying to stay warm. ;]
2. Take a dance or structured workout class. Community centers, local colleges, and of course dance studios and gyms offer a variety of movement classes. Not only will you learn something new and increase your fitness quotient, but you may make some new friends.
3. Channel summer and take a swim. Most gyms have an indoor pool, so if you’re a member already, you’re golden. If not, check your local high school, which may offer commnity swim time after school hours.
4. Throw yourself into housework. Vaccuuming exercises your abs, folding laundry tones your arms, and running up and down the stairs putting stuff where it goes gives your buns a bit of a workout. But make a point of working at what you’re doing for maximum benefit.
5. Rent or buy a workout DVD or video. I’m a big fan of Winsor Pilates, which can be as hard or as low-key as you want it to be. Also worth a viewing, but harder to find because it’s older, is Elle MacPhereson’s Your Personal Best with Karen Voigt, which I adore. For something more challenging, try the New York City Ballet Workout. If a book is more your style, I highly recommend The Joffrey Ballet School’s Ballet-Fit.
6. Get a Wii. I’m not joking, I LOVE this thing! But call around to local toy stores, department stores, and big-box electronics stores to get a better price, because they’re out there. In addition to fitness-specific programs, there’s also fun stuff like my beloved Dance Dance Revolution to get you moving.
7. Follow Healthbolt’s advice. Just go to the post. Enough said.

Do you have suggestions for working out in winter? Leave a comment with your ideas and experiences!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the theme day fun.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King