The winter season brings shorter days and colder temperatures. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay active! Plan ahead, consider alternative exercises, and be prepared to readjust your workout routine as we move into the winter season. The simplest adjustment I have made that has kept me active during the shorter days is the purchase of a tiny but powerful flashlight. This flashlight has allowed me to maintain my evening walks with my dog, and to feel safe while doing so. See below for a few additional tips to stay active during shorter days and colder temperatures.
- Purchase a flashlight. As I mentioned above, a small handheld flashlight is key to staying active when it gets darker earlier. Even if you leave the house when it’s light out, be prepared with the quick onset of darkness. Keep it in your pocket or purchase one with a wrist strap to easily carry. This one I grabbed in the check out line of Lowes for a dollar or two and it was worked great!
- Choose well-lit streets and sidewalks for walking, jogging, or biking. Even if you carry a flashlight, be mindful of the light provided by streetlights along your route. Make sure you are in a safe area without a lot of traffic and move off to the side when a car goes by.
- Dress in layers. Remember to stay warm and dress in layers – as you move more you can take the layers off as needed. Or, as it gets darker you can put more layers on as needed. Choose light colors that are easier to see in the dark or consider a reflective vest. Don’t forget gloves or ear warmers – you might leave the house with warm hands but soon they might get chilly (especially if you have to carry a leash!).
- Consider adjusting your schedule. Can you move your evening walk to a lunch time walk? Or instead of a 30 minute walk at night can you do a 20 minute morning walk and a 10 minute evening walk? Considering moving some of your activities to the daylight hours if possible.
- Try Youtube videos or exercise apps. Exercise indoors with the help of Youtube videos or an exercise app. There are plenty out there to choose from with a variety of exercise options available – zumba, body-weight exercises, yoga, you name it.
- Consider a month-to-month gym membership. If you are not typically a gym goer and are hesitant to sign a gym contract (usually for a full year), find a gym that offers a month-to-month style membership. That way, you can use as needed during the winter and then go back to your regular exercise routine when it gets warmer.
How do you like to stay active when it’s cold and dark outside? Share your tips and thoughts below in the comments.
Don’t miss another great blog: Subscribe Now
Oh wow. I’m a dying, slug compared to you all! LOL. Still, I’m fighting the war with bigness and join this challenge every year through work to help me avoid gaining weight over the holidays. It’s working!
I don’t have home equipment so I do resistance training at home, walking trails here in the Denver area and also love YouTube workout videos. Thanks for giving this 50-year old, zaftig, cutie an inspiring boost to do even more!!
I adjust my work schedule when possible to allow enough time for an outdoor walk/run before it turns dark. And I agree about YouTube – great workout videos there! I also have a treadmill.
I am 60, and a fifth grade teacher in Wisconsin. I am a morning workout person. Yes, when it is colder and darker it is even hard for a morning person to get out of bed. Before my workout I take my dog for a walk. It is easier to face the elements with the right winter clothing. I feel comfortable once I get all bundled up. After the dog walk my pup gets fed and I head downstairs for my workout. My husband and I both value fitness. We have invested in a variety of good exercise equipment. Not having to drive somewhere saves time and also makes it easier to make the decision to work out. I do about 30 minutes of core fitness exercises with an exercise ball and weights. I follow that with at least 60 minutes of cardio. I alternate between the treadmill and the elliptical. I strongly believe that my morning workouts boost my energy and give me the calmness and patience to be a great teacher, even at 60. I hope my story will inspire others!
Wow!!! Thank you for sharing, Cathy, that is inspirational indeed! And you know first hand about trying to stay active when it is cold outside while living in Wisconsin! It’s great to hear you and your husband have found a way, and developed a routine, to stay active no matter what the weather is like because of the resources you have included inside. We agree that staying active boosts energy and doing it in the morning is the perfect way to start the day. Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work! 🙂