I know that the cold damp days of Seattle can be hard to take but it’s no excuse to hibernate.

Ditching your workouts because it’s cold outside and you’d rather curl up with a cup of cocoa? Instead of letting winter derail your fitness, brave the elements and exercise all season long. Follow these outdoor fitness tips and save the cocoa as an after-exercise treat. You’ll thank yourself when shorts and bathing suit season arrives and you’ve got the bod to sport them!

Here are some tips and tricks:

Outdoor fitness tip #1: Get dressed

Wearing proper clothing is essential to your comfort and safety for outdoor exercise. It is crucial to keep both your core and your extremities warm. In addition to wearing adequate layers on your torso, also pay close attention to your arms, hands, legs and feet — wear warm gloves and proper socks as well as cover your head when necessary. But remember not to overdress. It can be dangerous to overdress and cause perspiration. Wearing a layer next to your skin that helps remove perspiration is always a good idea. Silk or polyester are good choices. Avoid cotton as your next to the skin layer as it traps moisture. I prefer wool for my base and mid layers. The outer layer should block the wind and allow moisture to escape, like Gore-Tex.

Outdoor fitness tip #2: Consider all weather factors

Before you start piling on clothes, take into consideration all the factors that will affect your core body temperature. Factors such as the real temperature, wind chill, wind speed and direction, sun position and precipitation can make the “real feel” temperature lower than the reported temp. For example, if the temperature is 40 degrees, one might consider that quite warm. However, strong winds can cause a wind chill temperature that is closer to 20 degrees.  And if you are hoping for the warmest part of the day to exercise outside, do it while the sun is high.

Outdoor fitness tip #3: Invest in proper footwear

Running shoes may be fine on packed dry snow but they can be dangerous if roadways or trails are iced over. If you run in snow, products like Yaktrax that you can slip on over your sneakers, can be a great investment. These as well as footwear made for weather can prevent falls by supplying more traction. If the terrain happens to be deep newly fallen snow or soft powder, your running shoes are worthless — your feet are going to freeze. Consider snowshoeing instead of walking or running or buy a pair of waterproof snowboots and tromp away. Not that this happens around here much, but hey, one can dream!

Outdoor fitness tip #4: Listen to your body

Even if you are motivated to weather the winter, tune in to your body. Conditions that are too cold varies from person to person and  winter workouts outdoors may not be right for all people. People with certain medical conditions like heart disease may need to avoid certain temperatures because cold can cause vascular constriction. If you have any medical conditions — particularly diabetes, Reynaud’s, lupus, fibromyalgia or arthritis — talk to your doctor before heading outdoors to exercise.

Outdoor fitness tip #5: Drink up

Not keeping your body hydrated is a frequent mistake.  In the summer, people are perhaps more in-tune with their hydration because they sweat and feel the thirst sensation. In winter you may not feel as thirsty and therefore forget to drink. It is equally as important to hydrate when exercising in the cold as it is when you workout in the summer heat. Keep a bottle of water with you during winter workouts just as you do with hot weather exercise.

Outdoor fitness tip #6: Warm up and cool down

Regardless of the time of year or type of workout, it is important to remember to do a proper warm up and cool down to prevent injuries and hasten recovery. However, spend a few extra minutes warming up for winter exercise. And more important, when you get back indoors after your workout, fight the urge to immediately remove your layers.Give your body time to adjust.  Post exercise hypothermia is possible, which happens when your body rapidly loses its heating stores. As long as you are prepared to weather the winter, you can avoid winter weight gain and stay in top shape. You might even come to love taking a run in the invigorating brisk winter air or trekking up your favorite trail with powdery snowflakes falling around you.

My picks for the best outdoor exercises in and around Seattle are:

1. Snowshoeing is a great cross trainer for runners because it is low impact and involves similar, basic movements as running. Head to mountain trails or try some of the nordic areas that usually have designated snowshoe trails. If you venture into the woods in the winter, make sure to stay on existing trails and carry emergency supplies, a charged cell phone with GPS and avalanche safety equipment like a shovel, beacon and probe. Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you are coming back. Sign in at the trailhead so that rangers know you are there.

2. Take a walk, run or stroll on many of the paved trail systems in and around Seattle – The Burke-Gilman system, The Centennial Trail, and many more paved trails close to civilization.

3. If you have kids, why not spend the day tobogganing or sledding, which can be a great social activity and workout combined. When you are racing up the hill with both the sled and children in hand, your heart rate is sure to increase, and it’s a chance to spend time with family and friends. Many of the ski areas have designated hills or, if we are lucky enough to have lowland snow, head to your neighborhood hill. Please don’t let anyone tow you behind a car, no matter how fun it may sound.

Some of my top picks in and around the greater Seattle area are:
1. Two of my favorite paved trail systems in our region, which will someday become one, are the Burke Gilman Trail and the Centennial Trail. They are perfect for biking, walking, strolling, roller blades and even horses. In snow, I have cross country skied and used my mountain bike.

2. For sledding and other family friendly mountain spots, my top picks are Hyak Sno-Park sledding hill at Snoqualmie Pass and  Snoqualmie Summit Tubing Center.

3. Winter hiking is a great year-round activity in our region. We have ample low elevation hikes that rarely need special equipment. Caution: Make sure to sign in at trailhead and let someone know where you are going and when you are going in and plan to come out. Mother nature can always surprise us. My top choices are Boulder River Trail near Darrington in Snohomish county, Coal Creek Falls/Cave Hole/Wildside Loop in Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which – by the way – is the largest urban wildland park in the U.S., and it’s right in the backyard of Seattle and its environs. My final pick for winter hiking is Twin Falls near North Bend.

4. For cross country skiing and snowshoeing my top picks are Stevens Pass Nordic Center and excellent snowshoeing routes along the I-90 corridor. For a fun trip, why not think about heading to Mount Tahoma, North America’s largest No Fee Hut-to-Hut Trail System.

5. Outdoor ice skating rinks around the greater Seattle area. A great family activity for both novice and experienced skaters.

Whatever you decide to do this winter, have fun and be safe.