This time of year can be very difficult for me to want to get out and run or cycle. It has especially been true this year as we have had more rain and colder temperatures than we have had in the past.

There really is a lot of exercises that depending on your location and likes, you can choose to workout inside or outside.

When I am doing any exercise, I make sure that I am prepared for the exercise, Here are a few rules that I follow when I am getting ready to exercise outdoors;

• Get warm first. A proper warm-up is critical. Cold temperatures can make your muscles tight and therefore they are more prone to injuries. So, it's important to get them warmed-up prior to engaging in intense physical activity. Do some stretches before heading out to warm up your body and to get the muscles warmed-up.
• Layers, layers and more layers. The best approach to dressing for outdoor exercise is with layers. Layering provides the most effective heating method, plus it allows you to remove the top layer if you get too hot. The layer closest to your skin should allow moisture to be wicked away. The top layer should be both wind and water resistant.
• Don't play striptease artist when you are done While you may be tempted to immediately remove your layers when returning inside, give your body time to adjust. Post exercise hypothermia is possible.
  
• Drink up. Sometimes you may feel that because it is cold you don't need to hydrate. It's just as important to stay hydrated when exercising in Winter as it is in Summer, even though you might not feel as thirsty.
• Lighten up. Because of the shorter days, be sure to wear reflective materials to ensure that you can be seen.

If you are not an outside type of person, and believe me some mornings I wonder myself, then choose an indoor workout option. Give some of these a try.

• Walk at an indoor location, like a mall or your office. At my old office, we had a mezzanine that was 1/10 of a mile loop and so many of us would walk around it 10 times for a 1 mile walk.
  
• Create a home gym. This doesn't have to be expensive. You can easily set-up a great workout routine with just a set of dumbbells, an exercise ball and a jump rope. Get all of this for around $50.
• If you have stairs where you live or close by, spend as little as 20 minutes at a time climbing up and down the stairs for a very intense and efficient workout. I often will walk the stairs at the office. It is amazing how many times you can do this in a day.
  
• Rent or buy a home workout DVD. Also check out the local library to see if they have then for you to checkout.
• If you like to cycle, look into purchasing a stationary bike or a trainer for your existing bike.
  

By staying fit during Winter you'll be able to avoid gaining weight and avoid losing strength and stamina caused from inactivity. This also gives you a head start when spring comes around for whatever activity you are into. 

Off to do a 5 mile run. And no matter what exercise you do, have a safe and healthy holiday season.