Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 11th December 2017

The New Year is fast approaching, and with it come the promise of a new regime of getting into shape for 2018. With a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise, you could very well make 2018 your healthiest and most mentally productive year yet. But why wait until January to start working towards a new you? Winter is a great time of year to get out there and get fit, with plenty of options for calorie burning activities to help ease the overindulgences of the holiday period. If you’re not sure where to start with your new fitness regime, try these top five wintertime activities to help you stay in shape.

1. Try A Winter Sport

Take advantage of the seasonal sporting activities available during the winter months. From team sports to ice skating, there are plenty of ways to have fun and keep fit. Skiing is a great way to burn calories whilst enjoying the winter weather. From artificial slopes in your local area, to holidays abroad on faraway slopes, skiing is a low intensity workout for your entire body. Team sports like rugby and football also come into their own in the winter, and you can easily join a local team for a weekly kick about to keep in shape.

2. Enjoy The Great Outdoors

Long walks in the crisp winter air get the blood pumping and the heart rate up. A thirty minute walk everyday burns calories, improves stamina, and increases circulation. Whether you enjoy a walk in the snow, or a hike around the shops, walking is the perfect way to stay active this winter. So before the evening malaise by the fire settles in, take an evening walk with your dog, children, or spouse for a blood-pumping activity. 

3. Join The Gym

If you can get in before the New Year's rush, you can bag great deals on gym membership during December. While everyone else is thinking of big nights out and even bigger Christmas dinners, gyms and fitness centres are doing their best to entice new members through the doors. Find out about the special offers at your local gym and sign up now before the January exodus.

4. Try Supplements

Listen, it’s never certain that your diet is going to stay perfect during these fun, festive, and food-filled months. A little bit of slacking on your diet may mean that you’re not getting the proper nutrients you need, which can lead to stress and exhaustion of both your body and mind. Try taking some vitamins and minerals during these months, especially Vitamin D if you’re lacking direct sunlight and Vitamin C to stave off sickness. In the same way that vitamins benefit your body, brain-boosting supplements like nootropics can supercharge and protect your mind. A combination of both will keep you on your A Game during the holiday season, whether you’re shopping, cooking, or just playing board games with loved ones.  

5. Exercise At Home

Many people prefer to exercise outside or at the gym, but in the winter the prospect of leaving your cosy home might become more difficult. There are plenty of at-home resources you can use to exercise. Buy an exercise DVD and pop it in the second you wake up. There are also tons of exercise gurus on YouTube with free exercise videos that you can get sweaty to. If you have an exercise machine folded up in your attic, take it down and place it in the centre of your living space so you can’t avoid it during the holidays. Your waistline will thank you!

We list Try A Winter Sport, Join The Gym and Exercise At Home in this guide to 5 Wintertime Activities to Help You Stay In Shape in 2017/18.