Top Ways to Stay Fit in Winter

Cloudy skies and cold temperatures can depress motivation. Snow and ice seem to melt our best efforts, and drive us to reach for a good book instead of workout clothes. With a change of attitude, you can turn snowy days into new winter fitness adventures, using nature as your playground.

Change is Good
Winter weather offers the opportunity to change our trusty regimen. Burn rubber in a spin class, trade hiking boots for snowshoes; rollerblades for ice skates, or take a swing class and dance those winter blues away.

Play in the Snow
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are excellent winter workouts. A 150-pound woman will burn 500 calories in an hour, and the timeless beauty of falling snow brings a refreshing solitude to our busy lives. Have a snowball fight, build a snowman, or go sledding for wintertime family fun.

Dose Up on D
Spark your stamina, fortify your immune system, and build strong bones with an adequate intake of vitamin D. Sunshine is the best source, which is why we need to supplement in the winter. A serving of wild caught salmon provides 128 percent of our daily needs, making it the champion of cold season choices.  

Fuel Your Fire
Curling up to a crackling fire on a cold, dark evening is a wonderful way to end the day. Fuel your fire by chopping your own wood. It’s a total body workout that will keep you warm in the winter air. Turn it into family time by having your kids stack the logs, then toast marshmallows after dinner.

Keep Fit at Home
Chances are, if you have kids, you have video games. Active video games allow you to stay home while offering a variety of routines. Regain equilibrium with balance games.

Winter doesn’t have to bring on the blues. Follow these tips and you can have fun and stay fit even when it’s cold outside.