I grew up just outside of Chicago, so I’m all too familiar with bitter-cold winters, but I’ve been out of the icy cold winter season for years since we moved to Florida in 2003. Now I’m in North Carolina and anticipating my first real winter in 11 years. It’s time to bundle up, baby!
Knowing that my coldest winter in years is on the horizon, I took some time to brainstorm ways to remain active during the winter months to share as part of Columbia’s new initiative. I’d love to hear some of your ideas, too!
Tips for Staying Active During the Winter
- Keep At Home Workout Options On Hand
When it’s cold outside, there will inevitably be days that we won’t want to leave the comfort of a warm and cozy house. That’s when at home workouts come into play! Build a small collection workout DVDs, check out free fitness channels on YouTube or browse Pinterest for lots of at home workout ideas! If you happen to have an Amazon Prime membership, you can find tons of free workouts there as well!
- Bundle Up and Take Your Workout Outside
Even during the cold months, there are still tons of ways you can stay active outside. Grab a coat and have fun skiing, snowshoeing, building snowmen or snow forts and sledding. If it’s cold but there isn’t any snow on the ground, check out an indoor ice skating rink for some winter fun or bundle up and head out on a long hike!
Some new sure-to-keep-you-warm winter apparel favorites from Columbia:
I first had the chance to put Columbia’s famous TurboDown jacket to the test during a ski trip to Park City back in January and walked away raving about the heat-retaining powers of the Omni-Heat insulation (SO impressed!) and the lightweight yet incredibly warm down.
The silver lining you see is the Omni-Heat thermal reflective technology at work! The inside of the jacket is lined with tons of metallic microdots that reflect your own body heat back to you, making it 20 percent warmer than a normal liner. Sounds crazy, but after trying it out in Park City, I am a believer!
Another feature I somehow never hear people talk about that seriously impressed me is the way the TurboDown jackets can fold up and take up minimal space in a suitcase. When I think of down jackets, I always think of gigantic puffy coats that take up tons of space, but this jacket is somehow extremely lightweight and small but still incredibly warm.
In the winter months, warm feet = Happy feet! Columbia’s Minx Boots first caught my eye when I saw the company’s social media guru wearing them in Park City so I was quite excited to try a pair myself! I opted for the Minx™ Pull On Omni-Heat™ Print because I wanted a pair of boots I could easily pull on and off to take me to and from the gym during the winter, but I also wanted a waterproof boot I could wear on cold weather hikes.
These boots fit the bill and I love the fun print and cushioned sole. Plus, I have a feeling the Omni-Grip will come in handy when it gets icy outside or when I am hiking and need a good grip to keep me from sliding all over the trails.
- Participate in a Winter Workout Challenge (or Create Your Own!)
Sometimes a little friendly competition (even if its only with ourselves!) is all we need to get motivated to work up a sweat. Many gyms offer winter workout challenges but if you cannot find a fun challenge near you, reach out to some friends and create your own. Pick a prize that will motivate you (a new workout outfit, perhaps?) and make it a goal to work up a sweat four to five times a week. Support each other and hold each other accountable!
- Try a New Workout Class or Sign Up for a Local Running Club
Trying something new can do wonders when it comes to reigniting our love for fitness. Try taking a new workout class at your gym or sign up for a class you’ve never tried before at a local studio. (If the cold has your spirits at an all-time low, look for a hot yoga class to warm you up!) If you miss your summertime outdoor workouts, research local running clubs. Most running clubs meet up during the winter months, too!
- Train for a Race or Competition
There’s no denying the fact that having a goal makes it a little easier to commit to a fitness routine. By signing up for a race or local competition (look for indoor triathlons and CrossFit competitions), you’ll have a training plan to follow which may motivate you to stick to your workouts when curling up on the couch sounds more appealing.
Columbia Giveaway
And now it’s time for a winter giveaway! I have a feeling most of you out there are hoping to remain active through the winter months, so I’d love to send one reader their own Columbia Platinum 860 TurboDown jacket and another reader a pair of Minx boots in the style of their choice.
If you’re hoping to win the jacket, simply comment below and tell me which color you’d like from the options offered: Red (the one I have), purple, black or silver.
If you’re hoping to win the boots, let me know which style you like best! (You may see the 10 different style options of the Minx boots here.)
Or, if you don’t care which prize you win and are equally interested in both the jacket and the boots, tell me about some of your favorite *active* things to do during the winter months or some of the ways you motivate yourself to stay active in the winter.
I will randomly select two winners on Friday!
Good luck!
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Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Columbia through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about Columbia outerwear, all opinions are my own. The giveaway portion of this post is not sponsored and I will personally be buying the winners’ prizes and mailing them to the winners. Good luck!
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Winter in New England is so beautiful but as much as I love a pretty snowfall, I dread the freezing cold temperatures! My feet have the hardest time staying warm especially on the walk in and out of work, to the gym, and just running errands. I feel so silly wearing big clunky boots all the time. I LOVE the Minx™ Pull On Omni-Heat Print as they look very warm, comfortable, and cute too! My toes would be so happy to pull those boots on!
What a cute jacket! I’ve been looking for something warm but not bulky – just like this – for a few years now. The red would be awesome 🙂
Thanks for the recommendations on the boots, too!
I would love the black/charcoal Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ Boot
I live in Colorado and could totally use a black one of those jackets!!! I love to ski and snow shoe
I would love to win the jacket in purple! I do a lot of cardio during the winter. I love group exercise classes. What a fantastic give away! Thanks Julie!
Honestly, anything that helps keep me warm is welcomed with open arms! I just moved from Florida to North Carolina and I have a feeling I’m in for a rude awakening!
Minnesota got a taste of what is ahead for us in the near future – a high of 43! I’ve found that planning a spring race helps me get through the long (what seems like forever) winters. I know you’ve mentioned it before but planning workouts with someone helps me stay more accountable when I could use the foot of snow as an excuse to skip the gym.
Would be grateful for either prize – Columbia makes coats that can battle the below zero temps we face and those boots are so cute!
Love the red one!!!
I would love the purple jacket or the white Mid II Omni heat print boots. I have two golden retrievers that adore cold weather so we are out playing all winter long.
I love love love the red jacket! It will be perfect to keep you red hot in the winter 🙂
Both look amazing! I love to make snowpeople which is always a good workout!
I would love the jacket in black!! It Looks perfect to wear anywhere during the winter!!
I would LOVE the black coat or the minx boots! 🙂
I would love the jacket in black so I can match it up with everything!! But those boots are gorgeous and super practical for winter days too!!
Red
My favorite winter fitness activity is taking a good hard class at the gym! Inside for me – but I do still like to be outdoors to keep up with my running. For the coat – purple – I love purple! For the boots – I love the pull on Omni-Heat version. Those are so cute and comfy looking!
I LOVE the boots you’re wearing! They would be perfect walking my dogs in the winter. My fingers are crossed for this awesome giveaway!
Black
I love the red minx mid II omni-heat boots! I have been looking for a lightweight boot that will keep me active in the winter!
Usually I stick to Jillian Michaels when it gets cold out, but I just moved to NYC so I may have to try a new class!
Both are adorable! Hard to choose! I stay active indoors but bundle up in my gym clothes to get to and from the gym!
I like the women’s mid 2 omni heat boot! The shale color would pretty much go with anything! I also love the down jacket so it would be hard to pick between the two.
I LOVE the purple jacket!
I absolutely LOVE that jacket! Cute and warm! I would get it in red 🙂 Ooo and I really like the elk/grizzly bear print for the pull-on boots. Oops, guess I answered both questions! Great giveaway!
I would LOVE to wear the red jacket to and from Pure Barre!
I would love that jacket in black!
My husband and I stay active during the winter by snowboarding, snowshoeing, and running. Having warm gear during our brutal upstate NY winters is a must so either the jacket or boots would be great!
I live in Denver so snowboarding on some of the best slopes in the world is one way I like to stay active in the winter. Loveland, Copper, Crested Butte and Aspen/ Snowmass are my favorites! Last season I bought the Omni-heat snowboard pants and loved them! They’re light in weight and flexible for maximum movement (not that I’m doing lots of jumps, boxes or half-pipes). I L.O.V.E. love the tall minx boots in winter white. Would be soooo cute at apres!
I would love the red coat!
I’m totallly in love with the purple jacket!
In the winter, I bring my workouts indoors doing elliptical, treadmill(incline training is the best) and strength training. I would love the jacket in red. For the boots – I love the pull on omni heat print
I love the black jacket! Perfect for the cooler months ahead!
Ohh I love the red jacket! It looks great on you too!
I would like a purple jacket! It looks awesome to possibly even run in during the winter months!
I love both the boots you got as well as the red coat! Hard to choose! If it isn’t too cold I like to walk the dogs; otherwise, I’ll stay in and use the treadmill.
Purple jacket for sure …..love the boots to the tall that tie in white are gorgeous
I am training for my first half marathon to up my running game this winter. I love the minx boots in the style you’re wearing, so cute!
Silver jacket would be fun with the white tall boots….I love winter
I think the minx MID II Omni-heat print boots would be perfect for the winter walks I take… my feet always freeze in my tennis shoes and I don’t have good boots for walking. Love them!
I Would love to win the jacket. I have been living in San Diego for the last 6 years and have recently moved back to my native Massachusetts. It is going to be a tough adjustment back to winter! I love the red color!
I would LOVE the red coat!!
Putting on my workout clothes right after work will keep me from skipping out on my workout. It’s hard to stay motivated in the winter
I would LOVE the black jacket. I’m in desperate need of a new coat for the winter that is less intense than my full body down coat.
Winter is my favorite season to exercise outdoors. I love being able to work up a good sweat while still feeling the cold, crisp winter air. I really enjoy jogging outside in the winter. When it’s too icy or snowy, a nice long hike always does the trick.
The red jacket is so cute! I’m always cold so I could definitely use that this winter 🙂
I love the red jacket and it is super festive for fall!
Love the red jacket! It’s starting to get cold here too and I’m in desperate need of good outdoor running gear! New clothes are always good motivation too!
Love the Red Jacket!
I love to go cross country skiing with my boyfriend and our friends in the winter!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Love the WOMEN’S MINX™ MID II OMNI-HEAT™ PRINT in red =)