Ideas for staying active

Being active is easier in the spring and summer when the weather is nice and there are lots of outdoor activities. But don't let cool temperatures and precipitation in Washington discourage you from regular physical activity in the fall and winter.

Here are some ideas for staying active all year long.

• Go bird watching
• Join a folk dance or contra dance group
• Walk the kids to school
• Clean the garage
• Rake leaves
• Play soccer or touch football
• Check to see if there is a mall walking program near you
• Chop and stack firewood
• Walk in the mall when you're waiting for someone
• Work out with an exercise video
• Swim at an indoor pool
• Clean the gutters
• Go ice skating or roller skating
• Shovel snow
• Work out with a punching bag
• Vacuum to your favorite dance music
• Go cross-country skiing
• Jump rope
• Pull the kids on a sled
• Take a yoga or tai chi class
• Shoot some hoops
• Throw a Frisbee with a friend
• Mop the kitchen floor
• Go snowshoeing

Here are some ideas for staying active at work:

• Keep a comfortable pair of walking shoes at the office
• Take fitness breaks during coffee breaks
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator
• Establish an indoor walking or wheelchair course around your building or complex
• Park your car farther away and walk to your destination
• Plan activity breaks at meetings, conferences, gatherings or office parties
• Join in workplace wellness activities
• Organize a walking staff meeting