It happens every year. All throughout the spring and summer, I take walks to relax or take a break. I start my morning with a brisk, 30 minute walk to get my mind right for the day. Then I take the dog out at noon for a mid-day break. And finally, I finish my day with a sunset walk, appreciating the beauty that Colorado has to offer, and the warm air on my skin.

But then at the end of October, the days get shorter and there’s a chill to the air, and I find myself choosing other ways to unwind and relax. Ways that don’t involve getting up, walking, and moving, but are more sedentary.

One of my goals for this winter is to continue my daily walks through the winter – even as the temperatures dip and days get darker. Not only is it a good mental and physical refresher, but most importantly, it’s HEALTHY to move more!

This year, I’m relying on some helpers, because I know this will be a challenge, and it’s best to set ourselves up for success as best we can when it comes to our goals.

5 Ways to Keep Walking Through the Winter

1. Wear a fitness tracker throughout the season! I’m going to be wearing Garmin’s vivofit 2 activity tracker to help me keep track of my daily steps throughout the snowy season.

Garmin actually sent me this handy device to review – and I’ve been trying it out for the past month or so. It tracks steps, distance, calories, goals, sleep, HR, time, and it has a timer for activities. I’ll be using it most to track steps, but the other functions are a nice touch that I’ll also be using – like the HR monitor and sleep functionality.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Garmin through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about vívofit 2, all opinions are my own

Here are a few of its other functionalities that I find most beneficial personally:

• it gives you a reminder to get up and move around once an hour (which is great for me, because when I’m in the zone working on client plans and programming, I lose track of time! Luckily, my vívofit 2 does not J)
• Another BIG benefit is that you don’t have to charge it (!!!!) because it comes with a 1+ year battery life. I need more cords in my life like I need another hole in my head.
• It’s water-proof up to 50m, so you can shower and SWIM with it! And I may or may not have accidentally washed it a time or two.

And even though you can see your steps/distance/goal right on the face of it, you can sync it up to your computer or phone as well to track more in-depth progress as well as extra motivation from other vívofit users.

All in all – I’m a fan! I’d recommend this as a great fitness tracker to any of my clients, and will continue to wear it myself.

2. Pick out a specific winter-wearing-walk-wear (yay alliteration!)

I have in our hall closet a pair of gloves, hat, and coat, all specifically for my cold-weather walks. I know that I’ll need to bundle up, and having appropriate clothing ready to go will make me more apt to get out there and move.

3. Carry a pocket-sized flashlight.

My parents actually gave me this idea! They live in Florida where walks at 10pm are warm, so they bring a small pocket flashlight in case of cars who can’t see you. I’ve added this to my winter-wear spot in the hall closet.

4. Find a treadmill!

In last resort, I’ll use a treadmill. Or in the case below, indoor hiking, LOL!

Unfortunately with our move I now have to drive to the gym rather than walk across the street, but in time where it’s dangerous to go outside, I’ll grab my Kindle and go for my walk on the good ol’ treadmill. Keep warm and walking while it’s blustery and frigid outdoors.

5. Give yourself the 5 minute rule.

If I think about my normal 30 minute route on colder days, it often makes me not even want to lace up my shoes. But if I you myself “I just have to walk down the block,” you’ll go. And if you only make it to the end of the block, great! But chances are, you’ll keep going after that.

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Do you continue working out or walking outdoors in the winter? What are some of your favorite tips?