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 looooove that purple jacket! I’m in the market for a new winter coat since I’ve lost some weight and my old one is too big!
Love the Minx boots that you have!!! I especially like how they have a good grippers on the bottom for the Minnesota winter that is quickly approaching 😉
I would love to win either one; could use both since were expecting a really cold and snowy winter again this year.
I keep active in the winter by: shoveling, pulling my daughter on the sled and ice skating
jacket – black and the boots i like the shorty and the mid 2s
I have a vacation planned in January- so that’s definitely my motivation to stay fit during the cold Chicago winter. I would love to win that purple coat though- so cute and useful!
I really love the jacket in black. This jacket looks so cozy and warm!
I love the purple jacket! I’ve lived in Colorado for four years but just this winter am planning to try skiing for the first time, hoping it’s a winter workout I’ll enjoy!
Love red jacket for winter
I would love the purple jacket!
Love that jacket!! I would love it in black.
I like the WOMEN’S MINX™ MID II OMNI-HEAT boot in shale/red. But the white ones are super cute too! They would be great for hiking this winter
I love the black jacket
I would take either! We live in Southern California, so we like to go up to Mammoth to get our “winter” fix in. 🙂
I like to do my Jillian Michael’s workout DVDs in the winter to stay motivated. Also, the gym I belong to has group exercise classes that helps me stay accountable! 🙂
Love the red jacket! That would be great for my walk to work in the winter!
Black Coat! White shoes! (Black hat. Cadillac. Yeah, the boys a time bomb! ♫) Anybody?? 🙂
I LOVE Columbia and got my daughter a coat with the Omni-heat lining last year and I love it! Wish I’d bought it for myself!
I LOVE both the Minx boot and the TurboDown jacket equally and both styles you selected for yourself are my favorite. In the winter months I love running routes I know have great Christmas light displays. The company I work for even does a Tacky Light Run through some of the more famous lighted areas in Richmond. There is a local outdoor shopping center that displays a tree, lights, snow maker and an ice skating rink, so stopping by there for a few power walk laps (I sound like a Grandma right?) is a fave too!
I would love the jacket or the boots! I feel like I always gravitate toward brightly colored jackets then wish I had just gotten black but the purple one is very intriguing to me! My plan this winter is to register for a spring race (maybe a half marathon) to keep myself motivated!
I would love the purple jacket or the last pair of boots pictured for shoveling my long driveway here in snowy western New York!
As a Colorado girl, I’m always trying to get outside as often as possible, year round (we have so many sunny days here, even in the winter!) The silver jacket would be perfect for snowshoeing, cross country skiing, wintry hikes and of course – BRONCOS games! Thanks so much Julie for hosting a fabulous giveaway!
I am in LOVE with those Minx boots in Elk/Grizzly Bear! Fingers totally crossed;)
Oh my gosh, I LOVE those tan minx boots with the ikat print! I’ve been looking for shoes that are cute and keep my feet warm for winter (I’m a Texan who thinks these winters in Nashville are too chilly and do not know how to dress myself for the cold properly!). These look awesome!
I love the boots you have! I’m in need of an easy on/easy off pair for the gym and commuting.
Hello! I would love the Columbia jacket in Red! :))
I’d love the black jacket and the minx mid II omsi Heat boot as well!
I’m on the hunt for a new pair of winter boots this year! The Shorty Omni Heat in black look awesome!
I would loveeeee that jacket in black. I stay active all year round with crossfit and boxing. I also walk my 2 pugs as when there is not to much white stuff on the ground..I live in delaware and lately we have had very cold snowy winters!
The coat looks fab and warm and really cute…would love to have 🙂
It’s hard to stay active in the middle of winter sometimes, but getting a friend to meet you at the gym is always a big help-that way you’re less likely to make excuses if you know someone is counting on you, too!
That silver Columbia jacket would be so wonderful to have up in Michigan! It’s starting to get cold up here, and as a former Florida girl, I am not prepared!
I love the Mid-II boot. They will be perfect for keeping my feet warm and dry during my first winter in West Michigan with the Lake Effect snow!
I love snowshoeing in the winter! It’s a great way to stay active. Love that jacket!!
I would love to get the black jacket! It look super comfortable.
Red jacket!
I would love the jacket in black!! I already have some Columbia boots 🙂
I love Columbia! I have the fleece in just about every color. Love the jacket in black!
Love the red jacket and the minx shorty omni print boots! I mostly stick to indoor workouts during the winter but that jacket may motivate me to take some of my runs outside! I also chop and stack wood for our fireplace which is a great workout!
I would absolutely love the purple jacket! It would get so much use, it gets so cold where I live!
I’m obsesssssed with the boots and jacket color you chose, so fab!
Hey Julie! Welcome to North Carolina! I know it’s belated congrats! I live in chapel hill! You should come out here some time! This jacket is exactly what I need. My choice would be the red color!!!
Hope I win it cause I need it!!
Stay warm!
Red! It’s such a fun color! New gear always gives me a little extra motivation to get outside and be active.
I love the jacket and the boots! I live in Missouri, so our winters can be pretty hairy–I keep active by walking and hiking, and doing fun winter activities like sledding!
I motivate myself to stay active in the winter months by trying new things I don’t usually do in the summer; ice skating, hiking. And my dog loves the winter so she helps me stay active to!
I would love to win either! My dog Sadie keeps me motivated to get outside every day rain shine or freezing cold!
Oh! I love the Minx Mid II Omni Heat boot in Shale or Black. Which do you like better? So stylish, yet waterproof and warm for the bitter cold MN winters! Will keep my toes toasty on my ride to the gym and they look like they could be great for snowshoeing too. Way to go Columbia! Some fabulous winter options.
I would love the gray omni minx mid II boots!
I would LOVE the purple puffer jacket for my first winter ever on the east coast!
I love staying active in the winter with the Advocare workout series videos! I also always try to plan a race for the spring that will keep me motivated 🙂 Yoga doesn’t get any better than winter!!
I would absolutely choose the red coat. It is just too cute! I also love how the vest pairs perfectly with your boots. I think I would choose the same pair you had on but the bold red is tempting!!
Okay so you know how I moved from Canada to California? I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m wearing jackets at 55F (around 18C for my Canadians) and I am…COLD. I love puffer jackets – I have a brown puffy vest from American Eagle (that I still wear!) that I bought in 2004. Hey, what can I say – I know what will stay in style haha. I love the Columbia one, been eyeing something similar at Eddie Bauer, but it comes in green.
SOOOO. If I won your giveaway I’d go for either black or red. Probably red.
I actually LOVE winter, and some of my favorite winter activities include cross country and downhill skiing, as well as playing with my nephews and niece in the snow!
My boyfriend taught me how to ski last winter, so I am looking forward to staying active on the slopes this year!
Ooooh, I love the black!!