Winter may be cold, but that's no reason to stay home. There are so many ways to be sporty, stay fit and have fun. Just as we all witnessed earlier this year at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, there are a number of challenging outdoor winter activities to keep you busy until spring. Ice hockey, snow boarding, ice skating and skiing are just a few examples of ways to make the best of it. Whether you're a novice or seasoned vet, one thing's for sure--you're good to go in the snow. So bundle up, get out there and enjoy it!

When can I run again after the NYC Marathon? A simple, yet extremely common, question for runners!

In an interview with Lauren Johnston of Running Dialogue, the New York Daily News running blog, we discussed when it's ok to hit the pavement again.

I'd recommend taking at least a full week off from high impact exercise. If you get really antsy, try some light/easy work on a bike, rower, or an elliptical trainer. After that, the decision to run again will vary from person to person. In general, the bigger your running base and marathon build up, the sooner you can start running and building you mileage back.

For more tips on when to run again and when to get a massage, read Ben's comments here.

The number on reason people hire a personal trainer is motivation. This could be motivation to workout, to get out of the house, or to change lifestyle habits. For whatever reason, when money is spent and appointments are made, people are more likely to go through with something fitness-related. That said, this might be the time to hire a trainer if you can't motivate yourself in the winter to go to the gym. Or, if funds are low, sign up for a class you've been dying to try, pay for it, book at least one day a week. Better yet, sign up with friends. They can be your biggest motivation. If seeing your friends in a bar or restaurant twice a week somehow manages itself, a spin class should work as well...and you'll look and feel better. Once you're committed to it, it will be done.

We move a lot less in the winter months, but our body works twice as hard to keep warm. Eating heavier foods is part of that process. Our bodies seek insulation. Soups and stews, high in veggie and protein, are amazing, but watch the salt count, as most pre-made soups are very high in sodium. Foods high in water content also fill you up faster and longer, which can help combat hunger or cravings as you sit stuck in your apartment with 3 feet of snow outside.

If you can't motivate yourself to leave your apartment to go workout, then motivate yourself to do something productive that requires physical activity. Clean your apartment, play with your kids and cook a huge family (healthy) meal! Anything to keep you from getting too comfortable in the hibernation trance we all get stuck in during winter. And I don't need to mention the infinite amount of at-home workouts you can find in any magazine or simply by searching on Google.

A little food for thought! I recently came across an interesting study, from the American Heart Journal, on the direct impact fitness level and body mass index (BMI) have on blood pressure.

Click here to read and feel free to post comments.

"Want to look better in a bathing suit? Use your (pool) noodle. Turns out, the ubiquitous foam toy (you've probably had backyard "sword" fights with one!) is also an ultra-effective tone-up tool," writes Holly St. Lifer in her most recent article in Self magazine. Titled "Slim in a Splash," the article features a workout I created exclusively for Self utilizing the pool and a noodle.

With the variety of noodle moves featured, you'll look like a synchronized swimmer but feel like a hardcore athlete. The exercises will work your abs, obliques, legs, hips, arms, chest and butt, giving you a full-body workout perfect for the sizzling days of summer.

Click here for a great pool workout!