It’s getting colder. It’s getting darker. It’s getting harder to get up in the morning, eat a freezing cold salad for your lunch, and haul ass to the gym in the evening. And while it is normal and natural to put on a few pounds in the winter, it’s also helpful to stay as active as you can during those long, dark months. As tempting as hibernation may be, we’re simply not built for it. And so …
- Take the stairs. Any and everywhere. If your office is on the 32nd floor, take the elevator to 27 and walk the remainder.
- Jump rope. Invest $9 at Target and pretend you’re a boxer.
- Do a Five Minute Clean: Spend five minutes picking up, scrubbing down, and intensely tidying your home. Think of it like interval training: Go as hard and fast as you can while still being effective.
- Roller skate! Why freeze your gazongas off at the ice rink when you can head to the toasty-warm roller rink instead. Be sure to request “Brick House” while you’re there.
- Offer piggyback rides to the small humans in your life.
- Go dancing. Or if you don’t care to dance in public, throw on a song that makes you wiggle, and WIGGLE. I recommend this, this, or this. Oh, and be sure to wiggle till you schvitz a little – at least 5-6 minutes at a stretch.
- Reeorganize. Your basement, your closet, your kitchen, the storeroom at work. Engage in some productive heavy lifting.
- Bowl. Bowl your little heart out. But bear in mind, that you mark that frame an 8, and you’re entering a world of pain.
What little things will YOU be doing to keep yourself active once the cold truly sets in?
Image courtesy Marshall Astor.
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Great ideas! I love snowshoeing, sledding and (as per the usual) two person dance parties.
I'm definitely for getting bits of exercise from doing daily activities. I'm all about taking the stairs and doing squats whilst brushing my teeth. I LOVE that you included roller skating though …it's the best ever.
Yay!! Rollerskating for sure and after the big snowfalls? Sledding! It maybe a bit chilly, but walking up that hill is a good workout. And I do squats in the elevator!! Don't tell.
I loved that advice! In summer I always say "oh no, it's so hot to tidy up/do the dishes/clean the attic, I'll get too hot and sweaty". Well, now's the time!
Really, one of my fail-proof tricks to make myself do the dishes is think of the warm water. Pathetic, but effective.
Great tips! I love the five-minute clean rule! I'm really, really going to try to keep that one going.
Fantastic ideas! I'm wintering this year in the Republic of Georgia (rather than in my native Iowa), so I'm looking forward to weeks of rain rather than weeks of snow and ice. In any event, these are great ideas no matter what part of the world I'm in!
I actually have a resolution to use the gym at work (once it is completed, which should be in a few weeks) at least twice a week, esp. since it's free! I want to work on my lower body- strength and tone.
He's a good man, Jeffrey. And thorough.
Luckily my work provided me with the option to have a stability ball instead of an office chair, so I feel the (tiny) burn all day long. I also tend to just eat fruit at my desk throughout the day and have PB sandwich around 1pm, so on my "lunch break" I go for a 30 minute walk in the skyways!
I love jogging in the snow along a river (and I can anyday I want) – it´s SO beautiful and spirit lifting.
Those are great ideas! I used to rollerskate all the time in jr. high and high school. The rink was where all the cool kids hung out.
I've been doing the self.com programs and they've been great for keeping me motivated! There's a different workout every day, so I haven't been bored.
Best way I found so far is getting a puppy….
If he wasn't around, I would never ever get my bottom out of the house in the rain or cold weather. I'd rather stay at home, with a cup of tea. These days the pupster needs regular walks, rain or shine and is pretty much my own personal trainer now. 
x
And fidget. Don't forget to fidget. I am serious. Studies show and all that…
Great tips! I'm lucky in that salsa is pretty much an indoors activity 365 days of the year (although I haven't been going much lately because I'm sick).
He stepped over the line! This is a league game! Has the whole world gone crazy??
Love the Lebowski quote!
My extra incentive for staying fit in the winter is my annual Christmas trip to the warm, sunny beaches of Mexico. Lately I've been walking rather than driving whenever possible, and definitely taking the stairs. And since it doesn't snow out here, I don't mind a trip to the ice rink now and then.
Great tips, LOVE the Big Lebowski reference (I'm trying to convince Joe to go as the Dude for Halloween).
These are all great ideas!! I always feel like I can't exercise (I hate the gym!!) so these will be great for when it gets too cold to go out!
clothedmuch.blogspot.com
My main exercise in the winter is carrying homework, climbing up and down stairs to my locker, and shivering. I might have to change that up a bit!
and there is always bikram yoga. it's like 500 degrees in there. great list. thanks, lady!
These are great tips, I so need some workout….
Have a nice weekend
xoxo
Oh, it is ROUGH right now. Getting out of bed in pitch black to freezing cold is not fun. I've been cleaning the basement, hilariously. I figure, while the weather sucks…
Great advice and love the purple fishnets x
I wish I had a roller rink nearby!!
these are great tips…I am very sloth-like during the holidays!
Mmm yay dancing!
I have invested in some running gloves and my next purchase is a windbreaker
xx
I have to go to bed in workout clothes some days to make myself hit the gym or weather allowing my neighborhood for a morning workout. So hard to get out of a warm bed for a workout!
These are some great ideas! And I have to admit that I love your Saturday tunes that you post, and I need to start grooving to them more! I also love those purple fishnets in that picture. I'd love a pair but I have no clue what to wear them with!
Call me a narcissist but I'll be darned if that last one isn't a wink at me!! Heh heh heh….