Did you sit in the house too much this winter?

Ah, springtime in New England. Days go from flip flops to wool socks, tank tops to sweaters but beach days are coming. But with this cold and raw spring, we are impatiently waiting. Are you ready for your bathing suit? Did your inactivity over the winter months leave some extra pounds that aren't dropped as easily as when you were...younger?

Winter offers many wonderful opportunities for outdoor exercise if you could make peace with one reality...cold weather. This detail keeps too many people inside and gaining weight. It doesn't have to be this way. When spring arrives, even if it is cold and rainy, an active winter leads to a leaner you.

I have just finished my 5oth year as a recreational skier and I have to say I love winter more every year. Being active over the winter months has many perks. When spring and summer eventually come calling, your weight is less likely to have increased if you have been active over the winter months. It is worth the effort I can guarantee.

Exercising outside in the winter is very refreshing as long as you are dressed properly. This means investing in some good quality wool blend "base layers" aka long underwear. Don't pull out your cotton long underwear from the 1970s. Wool keeps you dry and that means you stay warm. You'll also want some wool blend socks for the same reason.

After your base layers, you will want to layer a mid and outer layer to resist wind and water (snow or rain) again to stay dry. Where the hat of your choice (would you smile if I recommended wool) that covers your head and ears. Choose mittens or gloves to keep your hands warm.

Once dressed properly, you can enjoy skiing, winter hiking and walking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and a host of other outdoor winter based activities. Adding bird watching and photography is a popular add on to winter hiking or walking. The greatest benefit of all of this is you will be less likely to gain weight over the winter months if you get outside and move.

So we are all still waiting for late spring and early summer when we can wear shorts and a tee shirt to run errands or don our bathing suit for some time at the beach. It will come any day or week, I am certain but if you spent your winter in front of the TV, you might prefer the cool weather in your sweat pants.

Why am I telling you this in May? So you can make a commitment now to enjoy an active winter come December. This is the time to get great deals on end of season base layers, hats or mittens if you need them. Why not use these dreary and cold days to prepare for next winter? Why not look into a pair of snowshoes?

If you are already a winner enthusiast, this is a great time to assess your gear and repair or replace as needed. It's too cold for golf and too wet for gardening, so give winter another thought while we wait for beach weather. It might just be the best way to spend another rainy day.