Beating the Winter Weather Blues

Snow, snow and more snow! It seems here in the Northeast we've had a significant amount of snowfall at least once a week.  The winter weather tends to make people reach for comfort foods while providing an easy excuse for skipping out on exercise.  If you find yourself spending more time with your couch than a treadmill, here are some tips to keep you on track during these dreary winter months:

1. Find a workout partner.  The reason people are always promoting this is because it works! Enlist your roomate, boyfriend, parent, or whoever and set specific days & times that you will meet at the gym.  Making exercise appointments with someone else will hold you both accountable to reaching your fitness goals!

2. Help out a neighbor or friend. In addition to shoveling mounds of snow from your own car and/or driveway, offer to help others with theirs!  Shoveling snow for 30 minutes can burn an estimated 200 calories and will help build muscles you may not otherwise be working out.

3. Buy new workout gear. This can be used as inspiration for working out in any season, but is especially important during the cold winter months.   Being prepared with warm sweat-wicking layers will ensure that you feel comfortable during cold outdoor workouts. 

4. Try something new. Go to a park and rent snowshoes or cross-country skis.  Take a weekend trip to go skiing or snowboarding.  Grab some friends and hit the ice skating rink for the day.  All of these activities will burn extra calories while allowing you fresh air and time with friends and family. 

5. Invest in new exercise DVDs.  If you really hate exercising outside in the winter and don't have a gym membership, there's no reason to let yourself become a couch potato.  Use your TV as your trainer and purchase a few new exercise DVDs featuring yoga, pilates or even kickboxing.  Most cable providers also feature a channel solely devoted to fitness and exercise for free!