Physical activity in the winter can:

• Improve your mood
• Increase your energy level
• Keep you in shape for summer
• Help you avoid holiday weight gain
• Boost immunity to fight off winter flu and colds
• Improve posture
• Reduce disease risk and improve overall health

Get Out!

• Wear comfortable, warm clothes, in layers so that you can remove them when your body temperature rises.
• On warmer days wear a thin outer layer.  Tie it around your waist if you get too warm.
• Need a reason to get out? Walk your dog or with a friend around the block before the sun begins to set. If you plan to go out later, wear bright colors or something reflective so that cars can easily spot you.
• When it snows, shovel your sidewalk or driveway.  Offer to do your neighbor’s driveway.  Who knows you might even make some cash!

Stay In!

• When talking on the phone, walk around the house instead of sitting on the couch.
• WETA often has free exercise programs on television, while You Tube offers free online exercise video clips and About.com has free workout ideas, tips, and specific routines.
• Jump rope, or just jump while commercials are on TV.
• Turn on your favorite CD or radio station, and dance wherever you have room.
• Burn calories while you clean! Try to sweep, mop, scrub, and dust. 
• Take extra trips up and down the stairs to strengthen leg muscles and burn calories.
• Hide the remote control so that you have to get up and walk to change the station on the television.
• Check Craigslist for good prices on used exercise equipment.