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 and the mid II onmi heat boots in black!!
What a great give-away…thank you! I live in Colorado and the cold does not stop me from getting out. I run and even throw on the YaxTrax if it’s icy, snowshoe/hike and while I’m not a skier but I’m hoping to try out cross country skiing this year! Love the purple jacket and these boots seem perfect! I’m loving the pattern on the Pull-On Omni-Heat Print (elk, grizzly bear)
My favorite winter activity is sledding! The ride down the hill is super fun, and the walk up is actually a great workout!
Columbia is such a great brand. I love the jacket. Hmmm red or purple, red or purple? Let’s go RED.
I love the boots you chose!
I would love to try the jacket in black. I’m always searching for a jacket that can keep me warm for the long winters in the northeast!
I love taking walks outside at night during the holidays to look at the decorations. It’s like walking through a real live scene of a Thomas Kinkade Christmas print. I would love the purple jacket to keep me warm as I peruse my neighborhood. The winters are cold in New Jersey!
Running groups are the way to go! Also, I love try out new fitness studios, especially yoga.
i LOVE LOVE LOVE the boots you have- the Minx Pull On Omni-Head Print. They’re adorable! In the winter, I sign up for work out classes to motivate me to go. If I do not have a reason to leave my warm bed, then I won’t get up. But that motivation to make it to class, on top of the motivation to be fit for my wedding, get me to work out during the winter months. I am a PE teacher also, so I try to lead by example! These boots would be very helpful for not only my early mornings to the gym but also on the days where I have to be outside in the cold months for coaching after school!
(color elk)
I am definitely diggin’ the boots, because I love walking in the snow. Those red ones pictured on the far right are adorable! My favorite outdoor activity is definitely snowboarding. Nothing beats it!
I would love the black jacket! Looks so cozy!
The boots (Minx™ Pull On Omni-Heat™ Print) you are wearing are perfection!
i looove that red jacket!! it looks functional, comfy and also super cute.
The jacket in black would make living in Syracuse NY “the snowiest city in the nation” much more bearable this winter!!
I love the red one! This would be so great for morning runs in the Oklahoma winters! Brrrr!
Love the jacket in black! Have a friendly competition with my sis is a great winter motivation!
I love the coat!! I would love the purple – thanks for the offer!!
I would LOVE to win the jacket in black! I’m a neutral type of gal, so the black is right up my alley. It would be perfect for my trip to the mountains during Thanksgiving!
I love love love to ski! Which is hard to do since I live in Texas, but a new jacket and boots would definitely encourage me to get to New Mexico or Colorado to hit the slopes!
I would love the jacket in silver but I really need the boots! Ha
I’m signing up to run the Reindeer Run 5k in December. That should keep me motivated for a while.
Last year was my first winter in NC and it was definitely more challenging to stay motivated in the winter cold (we moved from FL, too). Changing up your routine or having the right clothes is essential! I’d love the jacket in purple or black!
I would LOVE to win the jacket! I’m pregnant and I’m definitely going to need some bigger jackets this winter!
I already have my season pass at my local mountain for skiing! My boyfriend and I are up every weekend from November to April!
I’m a little boring and eyeing the black jacket. I’ve been needing a new winter coat too!
I love the minx boots! Living in the city, I have to do a lot of walking in the winter. These boots would help with getting to a from the gym (a 20 minute walk from my place). My motivation to stay active in the winter is the way it makes me feel-its a great way to fight off the winter blues!
Since I live in the Northwest I never had to fully “bundle up” but having waterproof shoes would be amazing! (I am still rocking my sandals…hmmm..time to put those away!) I love the pull-on black boots (though I wish they came in grey!)
I love the snow and am definitely looking forward to taking the dogs on a walk after the first snow! Also, you can’t forget sledding, ice skating and snowman building.
The red jacket would be a perfect addition to my winter adventures!
i had no idea their clothes were so cute!!! i’m planning on being in colorado a lot this winter and i need a new pair of boots – the white ones up there on the left that you posted are adorable and i also like the boots you have in burgundy 🙂
I’d like either one – I actually do like running in the winter – I do have limits – don’t see myself running in 0 degrees – but then zumba classes or cross fit classes will have to do
My favorite activity to do during the winter is hot yoga! I love the Columbia jacket too 🙂
I bought new, heavy-duty boots after the winter last year, but I could use a new coat! I like the black one; it would be stylish enough for me to wear to work.
Skiing with friends is my favorite winter activity! The coat and boots are both so cute and would would look great for apres ski too!
The red jacket! It looks so warm and comfy!
Love the jacket in black! Perfect for cold weather hikes with my pup!
I’m loving those pull on boots! We moved my horses home this summer, so I need some new winter boots for the Minnesota winters. I’m expecting to spend a lot more time outside now!
We are moving in a month to Bonners Ferry, Idaho from So. Cal. Boots like Women’s Minx Slip II Omni-Heat will make my toes feel like they are still in So. Cal!
We enjoy sledding as a family and also go to the ski hill to go tubing… what a workout, climbing those hills with the kiddos!
Love the Minx Pull On Omni-Heat Print boots you have. I’m a runner and short of a thunderstorm or blizzard I’m out there in the wee hours of the morning. Something about the cold makes things even more quiet in the early morning and i find it just so peaceful. I live in the southeast and it can get pretty chilly, but warming up afterwards is so nice.
I absolutely LOVE the Turbodown Platinum 860 jacket in black! It is the perfect jacket to keep you warm in the winter months without being too bulky.
I would love the black coat! It would look great with any outfit!
I love your red jacket & the Minx print boots! Cute and practical!
I live in OR. To keep active during the chilly winter months I meet with my running group M, W & F — even if it’s in the single digits! We bundle up and run 4 – 7 miles. The accountability is everything! I could never get myself out of my cozy bed unless I knew I had four friendly faces waiting for me. I highly recommend a running group to keep you accountable during the winter months (and all year)!
I want the black shorti boots very cute.
I’d love the black coat – looks so warm!!! Would be excellent for these nasty Midwest winters. Brrr!
I would love to have the purple Columbia jacket to keep me warm on winter hikes! So cute!
I have been looking for a lightweight jacket for forever! I would LOVE the red omni heat jacket and the tan boots. Just like you 🙂 Thanks!!!
I love the red jacket! I typically snowboard in the winter but due with my first baby in January I look forward to long winter walks with our newborn and having this jacket would defiantly keep me warm!
I love the red jacket! What a fun, great post 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing!!!
I love the red jacket!! What are the details for the vest you’re wearing?
I would love the jacket in black!
I want the jacket! Can’t decide between black or red