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 stay motivated during the winter by knowing there is a tropical vacation waiting for me in April 🙂 Knowing that I have to be in a swim suit is motivation enough.
I really like the pull on minx boots. I’m not sure what I like most, the name or the fact they named it Elk/Grizzly Bear. during winter I usually turn to more indoor at home strength exercises with a few hikes here and there with my dog. He loves them!
Perfect for the Chilly South Dakota winters! I would pick the jacket in Purple and the Minx Mid II boots in grey. Great sytles.
I would love the red jacket! It would be perfect for skiing. I actually need a new ski jacket! Red will look perfect with my silver snow pants.
I would be thrilled to win either! I just recently set up a cozy little yoga + meditation nook in our home, complete with candles + scents and all the props I’d need nearby. It’s in our bedroom, too, so no excuses to not just roll out of bed and get a little energizing flow in to start my day!
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I would love the jacket in purple!!!
Love the Turbodown Jacket in Red, perfect for winter dog walks in Philly!
I LOVE taking spin classes during the winter, but doing fun things like sledding and building an igloo are great ways to stay fit & healthy! 😀
I love the jacket in black! I feel like I would get the most wear out of that color although I love the red too!!
I would love either items! My favorite winter activity is definately snowboarding — such a fun way to spend a day! Living close to the mountains in Canada also makes it very easy and convenient
I would love to win either! I have been enjoying swimming because in Oregon most pools are indoor and heated!
I love those Women’s Minx Mid II Omni-Heat Boot – can’t decide on the color though! I am cold ALL winter (not my fav season), so it’s nice to warm up in the cool mornings by getting in a good at-home workout instead of turning the heater on! 😉
I would love to win the black coat. Living in Kansas the weather is always changing and I don’t always have something warm/functional enough to workout in. Plus it is super cute!
I would love to have the black 860 Turbodown jacket!
I would love the red jacket you were wearing! I live near Chicago and outdoor running is brutal in the winter. A lightweight jacket like that would definitely help….and look cute 🙂
I adore the red jacket! I hear this coming Colorado winter is going to be sooo cold so I could totally use it. 🙂
I would love to win the OmniHeat print boots in white! If this winter in NY is anywhere near as snowy as last, I will be wearing them all the time!
Both jacket and boots look cozy, especially since I’m sitting here at my work desk freezing. During the winter, I love a good snowball fight and to go snowshoeing.
Do I have to choose just one color?! I’m loving that jacket in Tradewinds Grey. Get in my closet now! 🙂
I want it all! I love the coat, and think I’d be subtle in black. Like a ninja!
I love them both! I try to keep running over the winter but it can be tough in Wisconsin. This year I’m going to take up snowshoeing!
I absolutely love both the jacket and boots you picked out! Fashionable and reasonable 🙂 I live not far from Chicago myself, and boy does it get cold! I love taking the winter months to amp up indoor fitness classes I normally attend every other week in warmer months to every week (let’s be honest- twice a week ;)) I find these classes help with the slump everyone seems to get into around January/February when everything is just grey by surrounding yourself with fitness friends who always seem to have a good time. I also enjoy doing at home workouts like PiYo, circuit body weight training, or busting out the zumba videos.
I like the Minx Mid II Omni boots in Shale. The printed ones in white are cute but that pretty white snow turns into gross mush too quickly and my pretty white boots would not stay that way for long I’d fear!!
I want the minx boot that you have. I like the pattern a lot
Boots!! The minx mid omni II ! I live in Iowa and I could use some good boots — not the cheapies I’ve previously purchased!
Love love love the jacket!
It is so hard to stay active in the winter months! I just want to curl up under a blanket until the weather warms up! Although, our Texas winter is nothing compared to what most people experience. I’m a baby when it comes to cold weather! Not that I would need either of these items on a regular basis, we are planning a vacation to Alaska in the summer and these would be great things to take with me!
I love the red jacket!!
I would love either the jacket or boots. I like to cross country ski. It’s more relaxing than downhill skiing but harder than it looks!
I’ve got a marathon in April, so running will be my winter activity! Knowing I have a race coming up always motivates me to get out there
I would LOVE the Women’s Minx Shorti Omni Heat boot – It will keep my daily walk happening all winter long!
The boots you are wearing!!
Great giveaway Julie
Definitely the red jacket!!
Oh man I could really use a pair of boots! I volunteer at an animal shelter walking dogs and can’t go as often in winter because I don’t have good winter boots! I would love to win the Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ Boot. They look amazing!
I would love the Women’s Minx Pull On Omni-Heat Print. They would be perfect for mid winter walks!!
Signing up for spring races always keeps me motivated through the winter! I love both the jacket and the boots 🙂
The purple Turbodown jacket is adorable! Perfect for hiking in cold weather!
I would LOVE to win the Turbodown jacket in red! I just love it! It would keep me nice and toasty on cold winter hikes.
I love the Women’s Minx Mid II Omni-Heat Boot in the black! They would be perfect for the snowy weather in Idaho, where I visit in the winter 🙂
What a perfect all around jacket! The black one definitely, so I could wear it everywhere.
The boots you have one are my favorite! 🙂
I’d love the jacket in black!! I need a new jacket to make it through this winter in Boston!!
I would love either the jacket in red or black or the Mid II boots in black! I have a golden retriever and love taking him out in the winter to play in the snow drifts and go for walks! I love to take spin classes in the winter months since it is too cold and icy to bike outdoors.
I would love to win the jacket in black! I’ve never had a down coat before and this one would be absolutely wonderful!! 🙂
You look adorable in all the pieces! Where is your black vest from?? I would love to win either Columbia piece you have! I like to stay active in the winter using my indoor stationary bike 🙂
It’s also from Columbia! I bought it on Hautelook.com. 🙂
I REALLY want those Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ Boots!! Need some quality boots to get me through a New England winter 🙁
I would love to win the black jacket!
The Women’s Minx Mid II Omni Heat Boot in Shale would be perfect. My Shiba Inu loves going for long walks during winter and loves getting lost/playing in the snow…these boots would be perfect for the Kansas winters 🙂
I’m one of those people who drags her butt to the gym every morning even in the winter! But I would love to try a new barre class or maybe spinning!
I would love to win the pull on boots that you have! Look super cozy for a cold winter.