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’d love the first pair of boots pictured above! (the white ones!)
The black jacket would be perfect for some outdoor hikes and camping trips I have planned this winter!
I LOVE that jacket!!! I would take the black one (although I do like all of them!). It would be perfect for going snowshoeing!
Those boots are awesome too!
Ohhh I just LOVE the jacket. If I had to chose a color, I would LOVE the black one! I have black uggs, and I think it would be a perfect warm snuggly combo!
I just purchased some Columbia snow boots, so I’m all set there! My snow boots crapped out mid season last year and it was a huge bummer, so I’m glad I have some brand new quality boots! I think I like the red jacket! I’d usually go for purple or black, but I’m really liking the red one on you!
I would love either the black turbodown jacket or the black minx mid II omni-heat boot. Either one would be perfect for the cold, snowy winters we have here in Boston! As a lover of all things outdoors, I’m always looking for ways to stay active during the winter and get outside as much as possible. I have a dog so going for walks is a must, even in the cold snow. I also love running and hiking and this jacket or pair of boots would definitely help keep me warm and get outside more during the winter! Thanks for the giveaway Julie! 🙂
I’d love the jacket in black! It’s still a little warm here in Texas, but apparently a bitter winter is on the horizon, so the jacket would be great once December/January rolls around!
I would adore the down jacket in hyper purple so cute and cozy!
I would love the jacket in black!
Either! Definitely in need for both 🙂
I stay active by running during the winter (and hopefully skiing this year). My next marathon will be 3/15 so I will get to train during the cold months, can’t wait!
I just recently registered for a half-marathon in February :). I am excited but sort of dreading the idea of training in below-zero temperatures. I loved the turbo-down jacket. I think it would be great gear to have for my training!
thanks Julie
I’d really love either! I really need to work on winter activities, I tend to burrow under blankets but my kids force me into hiking and walks to the park and other frigid activities so the coat in black or the same boots you have would certainly help!
I’ve been eyeing down jackets this fall and would love the purple one! I stay active in the winter by running, but my goal this year is to do more of my actvity OUTSIDE and to try some new winter sports! (Skiing, cross country skiing, sledding)
I love running around central park in the winter as long as it isn’t too icy! i usually have a hard time staying motivated in the winter, but my wedding in may will be good motivation to get my butt out of bed on those cold mornings 🙂
I would love the red jacket it gets COLD in Boston
What a great idea! Being from Colorado I am far too familiar with feeling too cozy to brave the cold in order to do a work-out, but finding ways to keep the motivation is important! I love the Jacket in the Red color that you are wearing. I have been eyeing those jackets for a while for the reasons you mentioned above (being warm and not overly bulky). I think the Red would add such a pretty pop of color in otherwise dreary winter months.
I love the boots
I’d love to win the red jacket – looks super warm!
I would love either! I plan to run a March half marathon, so the training plan will keep me active and running during the winter.
I love the jacket in red. It would definitely help keep me warm during cold winter walks with my dog 🙂
I totally understand why you like the down jacket so much. I have a similar one and I absolutely love it (and it does get very cold here sometimes, so I have even worn it as a middle layer)
So I would like to participate in the boots section 🙂 I like the same boots you have. At first i looked at thebalck ones, but decided I have too much balck gear already.
I love love love the red jacket, AND the tan boots! I try to stay active my bundling up and taking walks in the winter.
Would love a new pair of boots..love both the Women’s Minx™ Mid II Omni-Heat™ Boot and Women’s Minx ™ Shorty Omni-Heat™ in black!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Minx Shorty boot in Herringbone! They seem like great multi-purpose boots, and they’re cute, too!
I love the jacket in black. I have been looking for a down jacket for the winter.
I’ve actually been eyeing that jacket in Red for a while! Perfect!
The red jacket is so cute!
I usually sign up for some sort of race in January or February–something to keep me running through the holidays!
I love the jacket and the boots! But, I’ve been looking for a new active winter jacket and the silver or purple one is perfect! Last winter I trained for a spring half marathon to stay active, and am planning to this year too!
I love the Women’s Minx™ Pull On Omni-Heat™ Print in Grizzly Bear! They’re just so adorable! Plus, they look like they’d be much warmer than what I do for my car to gym transition now, which is just throwing on some rainboots.
Ahh, I love both things! But I think I want the jacket more…I can’t decide between the red or the gray one! Thanks so much for hosting such an awesome giveaway. 🙂
The red jacket is fantastic!
I would love the jacket in black!
I Love the Minx Pull On Omni-Heat Print boots in Elk! They’d be perfect for walking my dog during the Pittsburgh winters! I might buy these even if I don’t win.
I would love the jacket in silver OR the boots you had on!
Last year, my neighbors and I motivated each other during those COLD mornings to get up and get at it at 6:15!! Not only did we keep it up we have been working out for over a year most mornings! I have to know that someone is waiting on me or otherwise I will keep hitting the SNOOZE button!
I am going skiing with my in-laws this Christmas and really need a jacket!! I would LOVE to win the turbodown jacket. All of the colors are great, but I think I would go with the red or gray.
Born and raised in Minnesota so I am all too familiar with winter and the cold….either would be awesome but I think the in the color you have would be great!
Love that jacket in black! Perfect for a cold New York winter!
I’m hoping for the black jacket. I need a new one since the last one I bought was two kids ago! 🙂
I want the boots you got! The Omni pull on Minx boots and so functional for South Carolina!
Great tips, I’m anticipating a frigid winter in my city as well! I love the jacket in red.
I recently joined a small group personal training group in my neighborhood and we meet before work during the week. On the weekends, my husband and I love doing the winter hike series at our local metro parks. It’s a great way to keep us both active and it’s kind of like a day date to boot! 🙂 The silver jacket or boots would be great for those early mornings.
The boots and the jacket are both great! I think my favorite winter activity is sledding!
Minx Mid II Omni in the slate would be fantastic!
Love the red jacket! Snow skiing is my favorite winter activity!
I’m from Maine so I totally could use either a new jacket (love the silver) OR boots (really like the gray lace-up ones) for sure! Winter here is too long to be inside the whole time, so we do a lot of snowshoeing and ice skating! And shoveling of course…can’t forget that!
Love the jacket in purple!!
Oh my goodness. While either would be nice, I’m a chronic cold feet sufferer in the winter so I definitely could use some reliable boots to keep my feet happy–and me! I love hiking and getting out and being active-it keeps me sane! I love the minx mid ii omni-heat print in red dahlia.
I would love to win the Red Columbia TurboDown jacket!
I love the jacket in black!
I love the Minx boots you are wearing!!! Cute and practical!
I love the Women’s Minx boots in Shale! So cute and functional!