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 love the purple jacket, such a pretty color!
I love the jacket! I’d pick the black one!
Love the black TurboDown jacket. Looks warm!
would love either! need to get ready to brave the NYC winter! I stay motivated to exercise outdoors in the winter by the beauty of central park 🙂 dress warm and appropriately and you are all set for a good morning!
I would love love love to win the jacket!!! I would either go with red or black 🙂
I love how the Red jacket looks on, so that’s the color I would go with. The Mid II boots look pretty comfortable and warm. Marathon training in New England is my winter sport!
I’m loving the black jacket!! The Wisconsin winters get pretty chilly! Love all your winter workout ideas! It’s always hard finding motivation during the winter months for me, but I’m planning on finding new classes at the gym and training for a half marathon!
I live in Chicago and would love the black jacket!
the jacket in gray would be my pick but all of the boots are super cute too:)
We love taking our pup out in the winter and seeing her stick her nose in the snow and run around in her own little jacket. Sledding, making snowmen, and snowshoeing are also some of our favorite things — jacket and boots would be particularly lovely for all these activities!!
I’d love that in black! I need a new warm winter coat so badly! 🙂
Love Columbia gear- the Minx II boots in black are perfect for Chicago winters! I trek it to the L and to the gym in the evenings and it is absolutely brutal.
love those boots!! lots of hiking in the cool carolina winter with my doggie!
I absolutely love that purple coat! As a fellow North Carolinian I usually do at home workouts during the extremely cold winter months. Right now I am loving Beachbody’s Piyo, but I have previously done P90X, Jillian Michaels DVDs, and the Bikini Body Program from Muffin Topless. I also take my dog on long walks in the early evening or afternoon before it gets cold out.
Love the Minx Pull ons like you have but in Black! Its hard to fine cute waterproof boots!
I love Columbia cold weather gear, being from Boston its been a staple in my winter wardrobe for as long as I can remember! I have a Columbia ski jacket, but would love the Turbo Down in black or red since it’s a bit more stylish for every day wear.
I would really like the Minx Boots. My favorite way to exercise in the winter months is to take my dogs out for a long fast walk (or run if it is not icy) and then come inside and do a long yoga workout with my space heater cranked all they way up! For some reason I really embrace yoga in the colder months.
I hope I win!
I like the red jacket. I need a cute winter jacket!
I love the black omni jacket! It looks like it would be so cozy to slip on for a walk out in the cold weather 🙂
Omg I love both!! But the red jacket really has my eye!!
I would love that jacket in black!!
I would choose either the red or silver jacket.
I love the jacket in red!! And the boots that you’re wearing! This winter my running partner and i are planning on signing up for our local hypotermic half marathon in february to keep us motivated!! 🙂
Love the red jacket and the Minx shorty!
I’d love the jacket in black. Classy!
That jacket would be great in black 🙂
I’d love the Minx Slip II Omni-Heat – my feet are ALWAYS cold in the winter so these look nice and toasty 🙂
I love the silver omni jacket!
I love the red jacket! I would wear it running. Planning to train for a half marathon during those cold winter months.
I love the Minx pull on boots and will get them even if I don’t win! I live in Chicago and walk to work and this boot would be perfect for that! I stay active in the winter by doing indoor workouts, running outside when it isn’t too cold and sking!
I love both 🙂 Generally I stick to workout videos in the winter since the last couple of Asheville winters have been brutal!! No going outside for me.
The coat in red or purple would be awesome! So cute and useful! 🙂
I could use a new pair of boots! Love the ones you have! Winters are COLD in Upstate NY!
I needs some boots!!! Love the ones that you got 🙂
That purple jacket is stunning. As a ski bunny myself, I am loving it!
I would love the coat in Black! Everything looks so perfect for extra-cold winter in Wisconsin! 🙂
I’d love a black jacket!
OMG I NEED that red jacket!!
I would love the jacket in purple or silver:)
Wow! I would love to win both the boots at the coat. I am a Chicago transplant and have learned to straight up DREAD winter when it comes around. I just recently joined ClassPass, where I can go to a variety of classes at different fitness studios each month. I am actually obsessed and hoping the motivaion carries me through the next polar vortex this year!
I love the jacket, especially in black! Do you have any training guides for running a 10k?
Love that silver heat reflective product on the inside of the coat, I have never tried that product before but I imagine it will keep you toasty warm during hiking (my go to for fresh air in the cooler months) Columbia jacket in black appes to me that way warm cozy scarves will accent it nicely!
I could definitely make use of the (black) jacket for the upcoming Canadian Winter! Seriously, brr.
I love both! My favorite winter activity is skiing, but I also don’t mind getting out and running in the cold!
Those boots would be perfect for winter hikes!!
I’m pretty sure I need that jacket for the frozen tundra of Minnesota! I’d love the jacket in Silver, and the Minx Mid II Omni-Heat boots in Shale. They both look warm and cozy for trekking to the ski hills and walking the dogs in the winter time!
I love both the jackets and the boots!
Oddly enough, i actually really enjoy running in the winter. Something about my legs being a little cold always help me have a fantastic run (maybe they are just numb!). And the sense of accomplishment after finishing a run in the cold when all I want to do is snuggle in bed is worth it every time.
To keep active in the winter I ski and snowboard. The brisk cool air in the winter is a great feeling.
I love the red jacket! It would be so perfect for winter walks!
I’d love the black jacket woo!!