This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Withings, part of Nokia. All opinions are my own.
Right in the middle of winter we often realize we ate a few too many cookies and that keeping New Year’s resolutions is harder than expected. I’m in the same boat. Instead of forcing myself to give things up, this year I’m focusing on being more aware of my family’s and my own health: more fruit and water, fewer cookies and diet soda. Don’t stress if you miss the gym—do a home workout and keep moving.
Cold weather makes it tempting to stay inside watching TV or playing video games. We’ve binged a few series this season, so we’re not immune. But if you want a fresh start this year, here are winter-friendly ideas to get you and your family active—some outdoors, some indoors.
- Winter camps.
Winter camps offer a range of seasonal activities suitable for children and families. Many programs include sledding, skiing, snowboarding, snowball games, fort-building and more. Check with your local school district, parks and recreation department, or tourism office to find day camps or weekend events near you. Our family recently attended a day-long fort-building activity and had a blast. - Play more active games.
Not all games are sedentary. Encourage games that require movement—classic outdoor games like tag, or active video games and motion-based console titles. If your household doesn’t have a game console yet, consider one as a family gift that promotes activity and fun. - Track your progress.
Tracking activity and health helps you stay motivated and see real progress. The Body Cardio scale from Withings provides weight, BMI, body composition, and cardiovascular insights. It measures heart rate and arterial health through Pulse Wave Velocity, and tracks body fat, water percentage, muscle and bone mass. With automatic profile recognition for multiple users and reliable Position Control™ technology, it makes monitoring simple. The rechargeable battery lasts up to a year, and it syncs seamlessly with the Health Mate app so you can review results anytime.
The Withings Steel activity watch is another good tool to keep you moving. It has a stainless steel case, chrome hands and double-domed glass, and tracks steps, running, swimming (water resistant to 5 ATM), distance and calories burned. It also provides sleep monitoring and a silent vibrating alarm, and its long battery life means you don’t have to charge it often. Sync it to the Health Mate app to combine activity and weight data for a full picture of your progress.
4. Join a community center or your local recreation department.
Community centers, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs and municipal recreation departments offer indoor facilities and organized activities year-round. Basketball, volleyball, swimming in indoor pools, and youth programs like wrestling or soccer provide great opportunities for kids and families to stay active during winter. Many centers run New Year specials to encourage new memberships—check offers in your area.
5. Embrace the snow.
If you have snow, enjoy it. Snowball fights, sledding, snow tag, fort or igloo building—all of these get you outside and moving. Add a creative twist to snowmen by using food coloring in spray bottles to paint them different colors. Simple, playful activities like these make winter exercise feel like fun rather than a chore.
Remember to track your progress. Activity trackers and smart scales help you move more, sleep better and feel healthier—so long as they fit into your life without becoming a burden. Make realistic goals, celebrate small wins, and pick tools and activities that keep you motivated.
Now go outside and start the year on the right foot.
Consider a Withings Steel watch or the Body Cardio scale to help you stay on track and reach your health goals this year.