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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The purple jacket is great!! I love early morning workouts and, contrary to popular belief, Southern California mornings are quite cold! An early AM run is quick to wake me up!
I’ve had the hardest time finding a warm winter coat that did not make me look like the Michelin man! Not a huge fan of the big puffy marshmallow jackets but these ones look the perfect size! In black 😉
LOVE Mid II Omni-Heat boot! I need new winter boots after our harsh winter… I love the dark grey!
Ah! So awesome I’m about to switch schools from Florida to the mountains in nc so the boots would be amazing! I like the short omni heat in the tan color! Thanks so much for the opportunity!
I just moved to MN and know a good pair of boots is a necessity! I love the pair you’re wearing in the photos–minx pull on omni heat! Sounds corny, but I think one of the best winter workouts is shoveling snow. It serves double duty as a workout AND checks one usually daunting task off the list 🙂 It’s always really peaceful outside late at night after a good snow, too!
I joined a running group to keep me accountable for the winter (and in general!). In Nashville we don’t get that much snow, but it sure does get cold and I’m a wimp in the cold!
We are picking up our lab puppy the first week of december, and the black columbia jacket would be amazing to have on early morning winter puppy walks!
I know all to well about these NC winters. I would love the columbia jacket in Red. Perfect for those cold morning walks!
The red Columbia jacket is super cute! My boyfriend and I just started snowboarding last winter and this would be perfect for keeping me warm on the slopes!
I love the red jacket! It would be a great wardrobe addition for the New England winters!
love the red jacket!!
I love the tan ones! Perfect for getting through DC winters!
I would definitely love the jacket in black!!
I would love that jacket in silver!!
I love the minx mid II omni heat boots in winter white! I need a good pair of waterproof to trudge through the snow filled streets of nyc to commute to work. Columbia is good stuff!
I would love to have either giveaway prize! My favorite way to stay motivated over the winter is by treating myself to new winter workout apparel. It makes me want to go for an outside run so I can wear my new clothes! I really like to go hiking during the winter too. Last year I had to wear rain boots for a snowy hike and that was a big mistake. Talk about cold feet in a matter of minutes!
I looove that jacket in black! So classic & my school colors! I would wear this while running this winter. I just started running last year and now I’m hooked!
I’d love the jacket in silver. I’m dying to try out that new technology, so cool!
I love the boots you have, the Minx Pull-on Omni-Heat Print!
The red jacket that you have on is adorable. I have a similar one but it is just black and I love it!! A red one would be so much fun to wear!
I like the jacket in black!
My favorite is the Columbia jacket in black! It sounds soo warm!
I love love love the purple jacket! It’s getting chilly in Kentucky!
I love the Minx Shorty Omni Heat boot in the black/shale colour!
LOVE the Red jacket you have!!!!!! would love to win 🙂
I LOVE hot yoga in the winter months!
I love the black jacket – looks perfect to work out in, but to also wear to a dinner our night out!
Thank you for the fabulous giveaway!! The jacket is amazing and I love the purple!!
I LOVE the Minx boots! As as NYC city girl a stylish yet effective winter boot is key to walk everywhere!
What an awesome giveaway…how do you even choose?! I am leaning toward the jacket in red but I am also loving those Minx mid II boots in winter white or red : )
Columbia gear is great…especially for our cold winter months here in freezing Minnesota! Thanks for this.
I’d love the black jacket! 🙂
I love both and live in a climate where we get snow and cold. Winter is my time to try new to me classes since bundling up in hundreds of layers is not appealing. Hoping to take a cue from you and try some Pure Barre!
I can’t decide between the jacket and the boots…I like them both! The black one of the boots: Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ Prin, and the Gray jacket, please. Oh and my favorite wintertime activity, cross country skiing! Its the best. My son and I usually go every year together. Its fun and we get a workout! Thanks!
Soo many great choices! I live in the icebox that is Cleveland, Ohio, so I would love to win the jacket in black!
Love the silver coat!
I’d love to win the black jacket! I imagine it would be great for skiing!
I love the black jacket! It would be perfect once winter sets in here in Massachusetts!
I’d love to win the black jacket!
Im in the market for a new jacket and the black one would make the perfect addition to my winter workout gear!!!!!!!
I am undecided as to which I like best. They’re both great! One activity I enjoy in the winter is hitting the slopes!
Love the jacket in black–looks so comfy!
My triathlon club has a challenge that starts on New Year’s Day. You sign up for different goals such as run 1 mile every day or do yoga three times a week, anything to keep you moving. At our annual kickoff meeting prizes are awarded for those that completed their goals. It’s a great way to stay motivated in the “off season”.
I love love love the Minx mid omni II in gray!
I love the black jacket!!
I would LOVE the purple jacket! Such a fun color and looks the perfect weight.
I love the jacket in black!
I would love either prize. Lightweight insulation and rain-proof boots are perfect for Northern California winters.
I am a big fan of the red Columbia jacket! I am too a Floridian and heading to NYC for my first ‘real’ winter Christmas so I KNOW this would come in handy!! 🙂
The Platinum 860 TurboDown jacket in purple would be great for winters here in Chicago!
I would love love love the Mid II Omni-Heat boots, preferably in black! I need new winter boots up for the winters we have in Michigan!!!
Ah i would the black coat for an upcoming ski trip!