Secret Ingredient

How to Stay Active (and Energized) in Cold Weather

cold weather ice skates

Keeping up with a healthy routine can be challenging in cold weather.

It’s all too easy to curl up with a bowl of macaroni & cheese and waste the precious few hours of sunlight indulging in a Game of Thrones marathon. But winter is an important time to stay active. Not only do you need the Vitamin D from being outdoors, but getting regular exercise can help stave off the blues and bolster your immune system. And a strong immune system is crucial when everyone around you starts coughing and sniffling!

Get active, get energized

Here are some ways I keep my body moving in winter:

  • Yoga: It feels SO good to stretch and pay more attention to my breathing on a regular basis!
  • Pilates: I love the challenge and muscle toning pilates offers me. Many rec centers offer beginner classes if you want to try it out.
  • Strengthening exercises: Jump on a StairMaster at the gym or just take the steps any time you can. It keeps your legs in shape for summer hiking season.
  • Ice skating: Yes, it’s freezing outside. But ice skating makes the weather tolerable!

If you’re not feeling like you want to pay for a gym membership or visit an ice skating rink, bundle up, brave the cold weather, and go for a walk—it’s free! Wear layers and treat yourself to a post-walk hot chocolate.

Fueling your activities

Eating healthy food, of course, is the best way to support any cold weather activity. You don’t have to reach for salads and raw veggies every time, either. Winter is actually the best time of year to enjoy hearty comfort foods like casseroles, soups and baked meals. Just make sure the ingredients you use are close to nature and unprocessed. Try your hand at a batch of roasted root vegetables with paprika (my favorite ingredient) and olive oil, or make your own chili in the crockpot.

Secret Ingredient can help with seasonal meal planning and cooking any time of year. Check out some of our sample menus to get a feel for the kind of nourishment you can expect from our personal chef services.