Century Park Blog

Everyone knows that exercise is a major component of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, but it can be hard to find the motivation to work out when it’s cold and dreary outside. Ice and snow can make it difficult to be active outside or even drive. Nevertheless, there are many creative ways to get your blood pumping both indoors and outdoors this winter.

If you are looking for indoor activities, try:

• Walking around a gymnasium or a shopping mall
• Joining an aerobics or Zumba class
• Becoming a member at your local fitness center
• Doing resistance training while watching your favorite television show
• Deep cleaning your house
• Participating in a volunteer opportunity that keeps you moving
• Playing in an indoor sport league
• Swimming laps in a nearby indoor pool
• Trying a yoga class at your local yoga studio

There are also simple indoor practices you can use to add movement to your routine, like only using the stairs at work or moving your kitchen trash can to another room in the house. It may be more uncomfortable, but the outdoors are definitely not off limits for winter exercise. This could be as ordinary as shoveling snow or pushing kids in a sled. Especially if you’re braving the cold for a quick run or jog, it is important to dress in layers before going outside. That way, if you get overheated, you can just take one layer off. At the same time, make sure your head, ears and hands are covered to avoid getting too cold. It may seem impossible to stay active during the winter, but with a little creativity there are plenty of ways to stay active and start the New Year off right. What better way to beat the winter blues than to enjoy an active lifestyle?