Winter workout worries: How to stay active at home during the winter months

It's a cold winter day in the Upper Midwest and the wind is howling, and the last thing you want to do is trek through the snow to get to the gym.

Though it can sometimes be more difficult, it's still possible to get a quality workout at home, said Patti McEnroe of the YMCA. The important thing is that people stay active.

With winter hitting the Red River Valley and seemingly everyone having a busier schedule nowadays, it can be harder to get to a gym.

Here are five ways to stay active even when you're at home, as suggested by McEnroe and the Altru health blog.

Use video workouts

Video workouts are always an option if you have enough space to move around. If you don't have a home gym, programs that don't need equipment work best, McEnroe said. Workouts such as PiYo combine cardio and bodyweight strength for a full-body workout that can be done at home. Video workouts can also be bought at relatively cheap prices, and there are videos for nearly every type of exercise.

Buy some equipment

Nothing can make it easier to work out at home than if you have the proper equipment.

If you want to work out at home often, consider investing in a machine, such as a treadmill or exercise bike. However, if money or space is an issue, try hand weights or stretch bands.

Hand weights will allow you something else to supplement your workout, while the stretch bands add resistance.

These exercises can be done while watching or doing other things around the house, so if you're short on time, these could be a great buy.

Take a walk

Taking walks or biking around the neighborhood or in an area park are great ways to not only get active but also get a break from the household chores or the stresses of holiday preparations.

Walking outdoors gives you time to relax, fresh air to help mood and mental clarity, and gets your blood circulating, which increases energy, McEnroe said. Dressing appropriately for colder weather and wearing non-slip boots/shoes keeps your walking options open all year.

Do chores

Regular home chores are great ways to stay active. Going up and down stairs, vacuuming, cleaning and doing all of those other odds and ends around the house can be very physical.

The trick is to keep snacking at bay by keeping healthy snacks ready to eat and having water to sip throughout the day, McEnroe said.

Even chores such as shoveling snow or raking leaves can provide great exercise and allow you to get outside.

Eat right

While staying active and moving around is important, it doesn't have nearly the same benefit as eating right.

If you're camped out at home, make sure to have plenty of fruits and vegetables on hand to supplement your at-home exercises.

Since it's hard to get out and go to the gym during the winter, many people end up putting on weight during that time of the year, so eating healthy is vitally important to staying healthy during the long winter months.