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Are you one of those people, such as myself, who love to exercise outdoors, but hate the cold? Winter sports like skiing and snow-shoeing don't particularly appeal to people like us. So what's one to do to keep in shape when the snow flies? Through the years I've come up with a few creative ideas that have helped me to stay in shape indoors. Follow some of these, and you're likely to be ready to wear this season's swimsuit when beach weather rolls around again!

* Consider a gym membership and/or class. If your employer has an on-site fitness facility, grab a co-worker and make use of it! Or, if there's not an on-site gym, inquire about employer-subsidized or discounted gym memberships at local clubs. Chances are good if you work for a medium-to-large employer that they offer something like this. Many gyms offer spinning classes, aerobics, dance classes, and other opportunities to get involved and stay motivated.

* A local YMCA or YWCA can make a lower-cost alternative to the gym. And these places usually have a variety of things to help you maintain your fitness goals: swimming pools, aerobics classes, strength-training equipment, even an indoor walking/jogging track! Check to see if the YMCA/YWCA in your area offers free preview days - some do.

* Look into your local public school district. In my area, the high school is open certain nights of the week for residents to make use of the pool and fitness facilities. Additionally, they have an indoor walking course. While walking through the halls may sound boring, it sure beats stationary treadmill walking. Students' artwork decorates the walls, and a fresh podcast/CD on the MP3 player makes the time go by fast. Personally, this is my favorite way to keep in shape during the winter!

* There's always exercise videos. If you can stick with a video workout, then I by all means, carry on. But if exercising in front of a TV gets boring or you plateau quickly, look for ways to spice it up a bit. The local library may offer fitness videos that you can check out and then return. This keeps the workout more interesting. See if you can get a channel called Fit-TV. It features several daily workout programs that guarantee to keep you routine interesting. Throw in a DVR and this gives you a fresh routine that you can rewind, pause, and do anytime you like!

* Does you household have a video-game console? Video games no longer need to mean sitting on the couch! The Nintendo Wii Fit can offer an interactive, exciting workout routine with electronic coaches to help you stay on track. Another option is an interactive dance game, such as Dance, Dance Revolution. DDR requires a special pad to be connected to the console, but is available for every popular system, and far less expensive than Wii Fit.

Even here in the icy Great Lakes region, I always find ways to stay in shape during the wintertime. Also remember: there's strength in numbers. Joining a class or finding someone who shares your fitness goals can give you the accountability and motivation to stick with it. Indoor exercise doesn't have to be a drag. With a little creativity and motivation, you'll be able to maintain your fitness goals all winter-long and still look fabulous come spring!

Learn more about this author, James Richardson.
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