Shorter days and colder weather can make it more challenging to stay fit in the winter, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy outdoor activities.

Getting outside for a walk in the middle of the day can help us to feel invigorated, but you can also spend 20 minutes doing a walking workout video right in the privacy and warmth of your own home.

Either way, you’ll burn calories, gain energy and feel better.

It doesn’t matter what you do to stay fit during the winter. It does matter that you keep yourself moving. Here’s why:

• Any type of moderate exercise will help to boost your immune system, keeping you healthier.

• Movement keeps your metabolism revved up, which helps burn more calories.

• The more you move, the more energy you’ll have.

Whatever your baseline is for exercise, most of us can do a little bit more. It doesn’t mean you have to spend more time at the gym. It does mean moving around your house (or out in the world) more.

If you do enjoy being active outdoors, there are amazing places to walk, hike, jog, snowshoe and ski both on and off road. There are safe and beautiful bike paths and a large variety of conservations areas and state parks in most areas.

If you prefer to exercise indoors, there are hundreds of free workout videos that you can access online for all fitness levels. YOUTube is a great place to start.

If you enjoy going to the gym, you’ll find a variety of options that will help you to stay healthy. You can workout on your own, take classes, swim, etc.

Optimal Health includes three important components, and all three keep you moving.

1. Strength Training - lifting weights or using bands (or water) for resistance training. This is essential for keeping your muscles and bones strong so you can engage in the activities you want to as you age.

2. Cardiovascular Training - walking, hiking, swimming, biking, rowing, elliptical, etc. Any activity that brings your heart rate up and helps you to breathe more deeply is going to help to keep your heart and lungs healthy.

   These are also the activities that keep your blood pressure and cholesterol down and reduce your risk of disease.

3. Flexibility Training - stretching, foam rolling, yoga, etc. These are the activities that help your body to feel loose and pain-free.

   Winter doesn’t have to be a time of hibernation. Keep yourself strong, flexible and energetic in whatever way works best for you. Friends and family can also be great motivators to help you stick with it!

   Action Steps:

1. Pick one of the categories from the Optimal Health list above.

2. Spend 10 minutes engaging in some form of that activity today. If you really can’t do it today, schedule it for tomorrow.

3. The next day, do 10 minutes from a different category. Don’t overthink it. Just do something and then notice how you feel each day.

   It’s not always easy to prioritize ourselves, but it does dramatically improve the quality of our lives when we do.

   Stay healthy this winter!!