How’s Everyone Getting Outside This Winter?

I walk through a door to the outside

I was so inspired by these comments that I decided to try a nighttime flashlight walk with my kids! Having 5 kids makes it hard to find one on one time and so I took turns taking my oldest two on one on one walks in the dark with me around the block and I was reminded how unique each of my kids is and how different our conversations are! My 8 year old son went on and on about the stars and outer space and all the things he has read about planets. My 6 year old daughter wanted to look inside people’s windows and see how everyone designed their living rooms and if their Christmas trees were up! It was such a simple effort to take 10 minutes with each of them and not only did I get my steps in, but walking at night with flashlights in the cold air was magical!

I’m in England, and it’s just turned “properly cold” in this last 10 days. I’m a primary school teacher, and doing break duty for 15/20 minutes on the playground is actually one of my favourite moments of the day. 9 times out of 10, the kids don’t need me, and I’m left to my own thoughts to practice some mindfulness. I enjoy the cold air on my face, the feel of the tarmac under my feet, and listen to the noise of 100+ playing kids.

Because Jannelle introduced the subject of Gilmore Girls – I find myself re-watching it at least once a year, because I can’t find a substitute! any recommendations for a really well written dramatic comedy with a dream cast and no end of re-watch opportunity?

Thao Thai: YES to Braiding Sweetgrass, on a walk, as a talk, in the house, with a mouse. . . . :) I just finished listening to the audiobook, which is beautifully read by the author. Reading or listening to it is a transformational experience in how we view the world around us and our responsibility to it–AND there’s a young reader’s version out, so if anyone is looking for a book for a present, there’s that! I shouted aloud when I saw your picture with the book in your hand. YES!

Thank you for this post!

As someone who is constantly cold no matter how puffy of a jacket I have (and I live in Canada to boot – winter here is no joke), my husband recently introduced me to the concept of rechargeable battery-powered heated jackets vests. Apparently this is common apparel in construction (and other outdoor trades) in cold-weather climates – not being in the industry I had never heard of it. So this is at the top of my wishlist this year!! The Warming Store (https://www.thewarmingstore.com) has all kinds of brands, styles and gear. Could be life-changing. Will report back ;-)

Reading this and nursing a 2 week old, I need to answer this question for myself…walking outdoors, all year, is a part of who I am as much as my left hand.
The barriers: new baby, weather(-10 this morning! and icy) energy(read *new baby*), healing from a c-section, lack of appropriate cold weather gear in my *new size*(I’ve invested over the years but that was 30lbs ago…)
The sooner I can get back into a consistent walking routine the better I will feel, in all capacities. I just need to figure out the logistics now that winter is here in Northern Minnesota.

There is nothing like an obsessively active dog to motivate this winter hating Minnesota girl. I go for 2 walks a day no matter what the weather because I have a canine personal trainer and there is hell to pay if it doesn’t happen haha

Most days, the dog gets me out. Otherwise, meeting up with friends for a run will do it. If left to my own devices, I’d be on the couch with a blanket, pot of tea and Hallmark movies all winter.

I am an every day walker – no matter the weather! As the weather gets more frigid in Tennessee (mainly in January/February!) I find getting outside for a brisk walk is truly life giving! Not only to enjoy the sun on my face – no matter how cold it might be! – but it makes such a tremendous difference in my mental health. It keeps seasonal depression at bay and makes me a better mom when I have those 30 minutes to myself outside! And when I can’t get a kid free break, I find myself sitting at the brightest spot in my kitchen in the early afternoon and I let the sun hit my face through the window while the space heater warms my feet – I like to pretend I’m outside for just a moment! I’m telling you this has been a difference maker on the really cold days!

I tried cross-country skiing several years ago, and being both unexperienced and a not very athletic person, I was surprised how quickly I caught on to the technique of it. Since then I’ve gone cross-country skiing in several nature reserves and parks that I typically enjoy hiking through during warmer weather months. I’ve found it is a really fun way to enjoy nature and get outside in wintertime. I think this winter I might try snow-shoeing for the same winter enjoyment.

I hate winter but being outside makes a huge difference to my state of mind. I am fortunate tolive in a small town with beautiful surroundings. I hate the gym, so I try to commit to running outdoors 4 times weekly if the temperature is above 25 degrees- I run just shy of 4 miles, and with a long cool-down walk each time, I am usually outside for about an hour. I have been doing this for almost a decade, and it really works for me. More recently, I bought a pair of ice skates, and started skating for the first time since childhood. There’s a big, wide pond in my town that is only about a foot or so deep, so when it freezes, the whole town shows up to skate! It’s kind of amazing. Also, my 11 year old son is big into sledding, so we look for hills. Our neighbor across the street might have the best and steepest hill for sledding, so we enjoy that one on the few occasions we get snow!

Favorite outdoors activity: Swimming
Two words that describe your mood when outside: Relaxed, hopeful
Favorite outdoors companion: My son, my husband, other people’s dogs, squirrels along the way
Favorite winter recipe: Grilled cheese

Glorious horse legs! Made me smile so big!

we live in CA, and had to winter in upstate NY, my hometown region, several years back for family reasons. when we arrived, my small CA-native son barely knew what snow was and didn’t have the right footwear, etc. by the time we left, he was a pink-cheeked, invigorated snowbunny, master of layers, icicles, sleds and snowmen, and i’ve honestly never seen him healthier or more excited to get outside (and so happy to sit near the woodstove after and defrost). i guess it’s in the blood.

I LOOOVE Thao Thai’s book recommendation – Everyone, please read “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer – it’s life-changing, and maybe could be world-changing!

After watching Home for Christmas based on recommendations in the comments here I got out and tried kicksledding last winter and I’m looking forward to doing it more this winter mixed with winter walks around the neighborhood.

I wish I could love winter, but it is SO HARD in Seattle – I can deal with the cold but 40* rain is absolutely miserable. If anyone has figured out how to not hate winter in the PNW, please let me know :)

Ugh, getting outside consistently in the cold of winter is the blessing and curse of having a young, lively dog. I’m so begrudged to do it, especially in the mornings before work when the sun has hardly risen, but I’m also so thankful that I do. I feel like I’ve inherited my mom’s (probably disputable) belief that regular exposure to cold fresh air is good for me? At the least, I know that regular walking is.

I wonder if anyone can give me advice for staying warm while bus commuting? I freeze while I wait for the bus in the cold morning air and wind. And also walking the 8 blocks from the bus to home. I already wear my warmest long johns but it’s the standing, even just for a few minutes, that does me in. I was thinking about investing in an ankle-length coat but wondering how others manage. It’s making me miserable. :(

I love this! I live in Calgary, Canada, and it is currently minus 32 Celsius. I get outside every day since the pandemic started. I put in my ear buds, a good podcast, and go walking. I recently welcomed a big dog into my life, so he comes with me – he’s a Bernedoodle, so he likes the cold. Here’s my tip: layers. I wear legwarmers and a bum warmer (like a little skirt made out of an old sweater), hat, heated gloves, boots, and of course, a giant parka! Even when it’s this cold, my mood is boosted from the fresh air.

Love all these ideas!

My family, in an effort to get outside and move more, just started the first annual family Christmas Walk Challenge. We all put in $50 and the person who walks the most in the month of December gets the whole pot. We based it on a percentage increase of average steps from the previous year – which was conveniently captured on everyone’s iPhones – no special tech needed beyond a phone. New Year’s Eve we’ll all be together to unveil the winner!

I live for winter!

Anyone else read “Wintering” by Katherine May? I love this quote:

“ Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible”.

joanna! i love this coat you’re wearing! could you share where it’s from? i’ve been on the hunt for the right trench coat and it’s such a hard balance, but yours is amazing!