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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I would be thrilled to win either! I love to ski in the winter!
I would love the purple jacket!
I love the red jacket!
I would love the black jacket!
I would love either prize! I like to go sledding with my niece in the winter!
I love the shorty Omni-heat herringbone boots! Thanks girl
The red jacket looks super cute! I’d want that one:)
I would absolutely love either one!!
My wife would really enjoy the Mid II Omni-Heat boots.
I would love either prize! Thank you! I like to go skiing in the winter or bundle up for a long run!
I would love either one! In the winter, my husband and I go on hikes in a forested area- keeps the wind from being overbearing!
I would love the red jacket! Super cute and sounds perfect for winter in Wisconsin!
I would love the purple jacket and the Women’s Minx Mid II Omni-Heat Print in Winter White and Silver Sage. Thank you!! In the winter months, I love to get bundled up and just go for a walk.
I love snowshoeing! Not going to lie though … I do find it difficult to get myself away from my favorite spot in front of the fireplace!
I’d love the purple or Grey Jacket, I’ll be going snowboarding for the first time ever this year and Im such a baby in cold weather!
I would be thrilled to win either!!
So.. some ways I like to stay active during the winter:
My #1 way is to stock up on super cute winter workout attire. Buying cute headwraps and long sleeve running tops really gets me motivated to get out and exercise! I personally love the feeling of bundling up and going for a nice run or walk!
My #2 way is running on my treadmill. Although this isn’t quite as exciting as going into the actual gym, this is still a sure way to keep in shape over the winter.
The black jacket.. 100%!
I would love the jacket in red, perfect for early morning runs in the cold.
oh the red jacket is super cool! 🙂
I would love the silver jacket! Spending many winters skiing and now living in South FL will be interesting. I am looking forward to a few trips home to ski and be with family!!
I’d loooove to win the jacket…..in black please!
I would love to win either! I love hiking in the winter with my puppy, it is his favorite time of the year! But makes me always on the look out for warm outer layers!!
I am registered for a February half marathon which will keep me running all winter.
I love the jacket! What a great giveaway. I would pick the silver colored jacket 🙂
I would love either! Very nice giveaway. The at-home workouts were crucial for me last winter because we got so much snow. It wasn’t all that safe to drive many times so working out at home kept me going!
I love the purple jacket! Can’t wait to cross country ski!
I’d love the red jacket- it’s almost hunting season here and that is bright enough to stand out, without being totally unwearable for the rest of the year!
The minx boots look perfect for colder days, easy to get on and off = perfect to have with me when going to the office.
Oh my gosh, I love that jacket! The red is definitely my favourite colour – I’m a huge fun of brightening up winter with fun colours.
the purple jacket is so cute! i love a good snow run in the winter
I loVe the red jacket!!
I would like to win either!
I stay active by running outside. Running when the snow is falling can be peaceful. 🙂
I would love to win either. I keep myself motivated to stay fit in the winter by signing up for a Spring half marathon. I do more cross training than running but it keeps me in check.
I would love the black jacket!
I would love either! I stay active during the winters of WV by skiing!
I love The pull on omnix print boots you have as well!!
Love the red jacket!! To stay active I try and pack my gym stuff with me because the gym is on my bus ride home….if I don’t go home first I am more likely to go!
Either of these prizes would be fantastic, our family is a big fan of skiing and tubing during the winter months.
I’d love either! We live in Canada so winters are no joke here. We like to ski.
I would love to win either! I do love a good brisk run in the cold… Once it’s over:)
I love getting outside and running in the winter months! Skiing and sledding are awesome workouts to do as well!
I’d love to win the boots! Your thought of slipping them on to get to the gym sounds perfect as the gym is only 3 blocks from me, but will require cozy boots to get there! I’d have to get them in a camel-ish brown color and I’d opt for the slip on pair for ease of wear for those early morning workouts!
I would love the purple jacket, the winters are long here in MI so a variety of jackets are a must!! Thank you for sharing!!
I’d love the jacket in black!
I would be overjoyed to win either! (but I must say I love the Shorty Omni-Heat Print boots!) & I will actually be training for my first marathon throughout the snowpocalypse! 🙂
I would love any color in the Turbodown jacket! The boots look awesome too, so warm and comfy. Would pick the Minx II Omni Heat in the Saddle,Oxford Tan. Both would be great when shoveling out in the snow and going for winter hikes!
I love the Minx pull on boots~!
I would love the purple jacket! I like to ski and run, and luckily the winters in Charlotte aren’t normally too cold (I’m originally from Ohio) so i can usually still get outside a lot!
I love the red jacket! The boots seems super practical for winter, so I just might have to buy a pair before it gets too cold. Love a boot I can pull on for walking the dog
My family skis and I have had the omni heat coat and pants for a few years! They are AMAZING, and I’m rarely cold on the slopes! I would love to try both options – jacket or boots. My husband and I live in West Michigan — ever hear of Lake Effect Snow? Last year we had over 8-feet in our yard (no drifts!) We do a lot of hiking, skiing, sledding, or snowplowing (haha — it’s a workout, trust me!) So an upgrade to the new Columbia line would be a treat! Love Love LOVE Columbia!
I would love either 🙂 the red coat is so cute and looks warm!