It’s a lot easier to convince yourself not to exercise when it’s cold and snowy outside than when it’s sunny and warm, which is why it’s so easy to begin indulging in unhealthy habits during the winter.  But there’s no reason to let gloomy winter weather get in the way of a healthy lifestyle and a fit physique.  There are plenty of ways to stay healthy and in shape this winter so you can start off spring feeling your best.  Follow the tips below to stay as fit as possible for the rest of winter:

1. Boost Your Immune System – Feeding your body right can play a major role in helping you fight off diseases like the flu, keeping you healthy all winter long.  Provide your body with enough fluids (green tea is a healthy drink that will keep you warm, too!)  and limit your alcohol intake to stay hydrated.  Foods like yogurt, chicken, garlic, and colorful or leafy vegetables have all been proven to boost your immune system, making them crucial to a healthy winter diet.
2. Be Aware of Weather Conditions – Wind chill and snow are two examples of weather conditions that can prove harmful to both your workout and your immune system.  Wind chill can get through any heat that your clothes provide, and in extreme cases, can cause frostbite.  Likewise, cold, wet conditions lower your body temperature and make you more vulnerable to illnesses.
3. Warm Up – Warming up before a winter workout decreases the likelihood of twisting or spraining any part of your body.  Warming up indoors is the most effective way to prepare your body for the exercise to come.
4. Dress Smart – If you’re going for a run outside, don’t think you can wear just anything.  Dressing in layers is key for cold exercise conditions.  It’s also important to dress in clothes that will keep you dry–this means no cotton!  Cotton holds in moisture that is especially present in snowy or rainy weather and can give you a chill when it’s against your skin.  Dressing in bright colors is another important factor in safe winter exercise (or night exercise during any season); it gets darker earlier in the winter, so wear bright colors to increase your visibility if you are running anywhere near cars.
5. Protect Extremities – Your ears, fingers, toes, and nose are the parts of your body that are most likely to get cold first.  To keep them warm, invest in warm winter socks and be sure to wear gloves or mittens when you exercise.
6. Get Health Insurance – Ice and snow make roads slick, increasing your chance of slipping and getting hurt if you exercise outdoors.  Getting health insurance provides you the peace of mind that you’ll be covered for any unexpected winter injuries.  It’s also smart to get a check up before you start a new winter exercise regimen, and with health insurance, you’ll be covered for any health problems you weren’t aware of before.  Health care providers such as Michigan Health Care offer single and family plans for anyone not covered by their employers.
7. Exercise Inside – If exercising outside during the winter isn’t your thing, don’t worry!  There are plenty of other options to stay in shape that don’t involve dealing with the weather at all.  Joining a gym is one option, but if your budget is tight, you can watch workout DVDs or play exercise video games in the comfort of your living room.  Doing stair workouts is another great way to stay fit without spending money.
8. Take Care of Yourself – If you become incapacitated in any way this winter, whether it’s the flu or simply an aversion to the cold weather, it’s important to cut your body some slack.  To make sure you don’t push your body more than it can take, find shortcuts for your daily errands.  One such shortcut is getting mail order prescriptions instead of trekking through the snow to the pharmacy, allowing your body to get the rest it needs.  Ordering your prescriptions also helps you remember to take important things like vitamins on time, keeping you healthy and off the roads in bad weather.

Now that you’ve learned how to stay healthy and in shape this winter, you have no excuse to hibernate for the rest of the season!  It’s easy and absolutely possible to stay in shape throughout the whole year, no matter what the weather.  Just be sure to make smart and safe health decisions—your body, especially your waistline, will thank you!