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!
***
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!
![\"Quantcast\"/](\"//pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-1e3-7hOJ_U8Bg.gif\")
The pull on boots look great! And I love that it appears they have smaller AND half sizes! A hard thing for a 5/5.5 to find!
Ooh I love those minx boots-especially the “pull on omni heat”print.
I would love to have the jacket in black! I have had my eyes on a similar looking Patagonia jacket, but you intrigued me with the omni-heat insulation as I am always cold. Would also love to support a Pacific Northwest company since I am from Oregon.
Love the minx shorty boots!!
I would
I LOVE winter running. I love getting bundled up. We are training for a half and a full marathon all winter!
The purple jacket!! it is so cute and looks so comfy
I love taking my dog for walks and playing outside in the cold! He’s an Alaskan Malamute mix and is so happy when it snows. 🙂
I would love the red jacket! I stay motivated because of my dog Tahoe. He is always excited to go for a run, even when it’s snowing! I can’t disappoint him!
I’m pretty open to winning either the jacket or boots, although honestly I’d prefer the jacket over the boots, simply because it doesn’t snow where I live (Arizona). If I won the *GIVEAWAY* I would want the Columbia Platinum 860 TurboDown jacket in black (matches everything). However, if I had to win the boots, I’d choose the white and tan suede colored pair of Minx boots that you are wearing in your blog post.
In the Winter, I primarily hike a lot. I live in Arizona, so it doesn’t typically snow, although we can have icy days (in late Dec-Jan). I’ve ALWAYS loved Columbia, though years ago, I used to live in WA state, so I had some Columbia gear (hats, gloves, coat) when I skiied and just in general. It’s such a high quality brand.
I hope I win!
I love that purple jacket….
To keep working out in the winter months I bribe my-self. A trip to the gym also equals some time in the sauna….
Love the purple coat!!
I would love to win the jacket in black! It would be great for all outdoor activities!
Red jacket and tan boots : ) just because they both look so cute on you!
Love this giveaway!
The boots you have on! I need a new pair SO BAD and can’t seem to bring to buy any … I am in MAJOR denial of the soon-to-be-cold weather.
I would love black! Goes with everything and hides dirt well!
I love the mid II omni heat boot black – they would be great for walking my dog!
My daughter helps me stay motivated to be active- we get stir crazy otherwise! I would love the boots in the mid ii omni heat in gray!
The silver jacket would be perfect for chilly San Francisco winters! Thanks for hosting this giveaway! Fingers crossed!
I love the boot you chose! I would love to win those! 🙂
I’m just starting to make fitness and exercise a regular habit… just in time for winter, of course! That down jacket would be great for maintaining the habit with dog walks during the Kansas City winters. I love the red color that you have. I think pops of color are especially nice in the cold, drab times of the year.
I love, love, love the red jacket!! It’s warm, light weight, AND super cute – can’t beat that!
I love that coat! I would want it in black =)
I love the purple jacket! New England winters can be tough, you can never have a warm enough jacket! 🙂
I didn’t know Columbia had such cute clothes!! I can’t wait to be active all winter long by running with my husband! I have been injured for almost a year and I am finally healed and ready to get back out there so I will have no problem finding the motivation to run in the colder months! I would LOVE to win the Columbia jacket in red!:)
I am loving both the jacket, and boots! During the winter I enjoy snowshoeing as a way to stay active.
I love love love your Minx boots & would want the same pair. I live in a big city & have to walk / take public transit everywhere – in the damp, cold months, these cute boots would be a game-changer & I would be happy to be active in winter for once! 🙂 Thanks for the great giveaway.
Definitely the red coat! I have 3 young daughters and this would be great to wear while building a snowman! I live in Kansas and we get alot of snow. I like that the coat doesn’t look so bulky! Very cute. 😉
I love those boots! BUT I would probably go with the silver jacket first!!!
i am currently searching for a new winter jacket! I would like the black one!
I would love the TurboDown Jacket in Silver, it would be fun to pair with colorful workout pants! Hopefully, we wont have another Arctic Blast winter!
BAHHHHHH I LOVE WINTER (and all things gear-related) SO MUCH! I live in Denver, so this winter I am psyched to spend weekends skiing in the mountains and weekdays running around the wintery, holiday-lit city streets 🙂 Nothing motivates me like Christmas lights, and I can’t wait for the first snow!
I would be so psyched to have the same pull-on boots you have (in the same brown color) or the jacket in red!
I love the red coat but I think I would opt for silver so I have something different in my closet.
I also love those omni print boots. I may have to order those next month.
Dana
The boots you chose are so cute! I would love a pair for winter walks with my hubby and dog. I also love the Mid II Omni Heat boot in white… can’t get much more wintery than that!
I try to take more advantage of indoor group classes and weekend afternoon runs instead of waking up early in the cold to run!
I LOVE those white printed Minx boot! They would be perfect for Tahoe – I live in SF but love love love snow, so I’m hoping to make it to Tahoe a few times this winter!
I would love the red jacket… warm but still flattering!
I would LOVE the red TurboDown Jacket. Thanks for giving all your readers great opportunities to own some of the products you love!
I love the Women’s Minx Mi-II Omni Heat Boot in Shale! 🙂
As a Chicago resident, a good snow boot is imperative!! Last year’s winter did my last pair in.
I love the jacket and boots. I love taking group fitness classes during the cold winter months!
I would love the Red Jacket! so bright and colorful
After moving from NC to OH, I really have to bulk up on my winter gear! I love the purple jacket, or the red dahlia pull on boots…Both are awesome!
Oh, I need a Columbia Jacket in Wisconsin! I’d love the Red, Purple or Black! (help me stand out in all the snow!)
The red jacket – it looks so comfy!
I Love SKiiing!!
I like the shorty pull on boots in black but that shade of purple is also great for the jacket. I try to stay active in the cooler months by still walking to restaurants in my area and enjoying the snow!
I live in Wisconsin and last winter was one of the coldest winters on record. Our family tries to get outside and go sledding or play in the snow as often as we can! I would love the red jacket as well (Go Badgers!!) or any of the boots (Love them all!).
I would love to win either really! I live in San Diego so I don’t really have to do anything to stay motivated in the winter as “winter” doesn’t really exist in San Diego! 🙂 So I will keep running and hiking as usual!
Love both the jacket in black and the Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ boots in gray!
i really hope this giveaway is open to Canadian readers, because omg do we need it! hello -40C mornings. (actually, i have an american mailing address too so i guess i’m lucky).
every year i end up buying a new pair of winter boots because the ones from the previous year just don’t cut it any more. my toes end up freezing, and i now have mild permanent frost bite on one toe. I was looking into Sorels, but would LOVE the Minx Mid II Omni-Heat Boot in black. I love staying active in the winter by walking as quickly as possible when outside to avoid freezing, and also skating on the Rideau Canal 🙂