In the midst of winter and holiday cooking, it's easy for Wisconsinites to want to stay in, curl up by the fire and indulge in comfort food and Christmas cookies. But, with a new year coming up full of new goals, we've come up with a few (non-gym-related) ideas on how to stay active and healthy in Wisconsin this winter.
Hiking
Hilly or flat, winter or summer, long or short, there are hiking trails for everyone. If you're feeling ambitious, try Devil's Lake State Park. If you want to take in some wildlife, hike the trails at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. No matter where you live, you're not far from a gorgeous hiking trail - don't forget to bundle up!
Picnic to pack: Turkey wrap, apple, string cheese, Glaceau Vitaminwater
Geocaching
Have you ever wanted to go on a treasure hunt? They're real, and they're here in Wisconsin year-round. It's called geocaching. Use geocaching.com or the geocaching apps, pick a geocache (your treasure) and navigate to its location. You'll get exercise without even thinking about it.
Picnic to pack: Summer sausage and cheese slices, fruit salad, Snapple
Snowshoeing
Winter in Wisconsin is gorgeous. What better way to enjoy it than snowshoeing through the snowfall, all while getting in a great workout? You burn more calories snowshoeing than walking or running at the same pace. Win-win. Head to one of Wisconsin's 47 state parks and enjoy!
Picnic to pack: Mason jar salad, veggies and hummus, Naked Juice
Cross Country Skiing
Another great way to take in the beauty of Wisconsin winters is by skis. Wherever you can find snowshoeing or hiking trails is the perfect spot to latch on the skis and get moving. Rumor has it you can burn 500 calories in an hour of cross-country skiing.
Picnic to pack: Quinoa salad, almonds, Bai Antioxidant Infusion
Ice Skating
From Tenney Park in Madison to Winter Park in Minocqua, Wisconsin is scattered with beautiful outdoor ice skating rinks! Channel your inner Kristi Yamaguchi or Apolo Ohno and get active while having a blast.
Picnic to pack: Pita sandwich, applesauce, Fuze
New year and new goals, all without stepping foot inside a gym. Share your pictures of winter fun with us on social media using #discoverwisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew-member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.
Hiking
Hilly or flat, winter or summer, long or short, there are hiking trails for everyone. If you're feeling ambitious, try Devil's Lake State Park. If you want to take in some wildlife, hike the trails at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. No matter where you live, you're not far from a gorgeous hiking trail - don't forget to bundle up!
Picnic to pack: Turkey wrap, apple, string cheese, Glaceau Vitaminwater
Geocaching
Have you ever wanted to go on a treasure hunt? They're real, and they're here in Wisconsin year-round. It's called geocaching. Use geocaching.com or the geocaching apps, pick a geocache (your treasure) and navigate to its location. You'll get exercise without even thinking about it.
Picnic to pack: Summer sausage and cheese slices, fruit salad, Snapple
Snowshoeing
Winter in Wisconsin is gorgeous. What better way to enjoy it than snowshoeing through the snowfall, all while getting in a great workout? You burn more calories snowshoeing than walking or running at the same pace. Win-win. Head to one of Wisconsin's 47 state parks and enjoy!
Picnic to pack: Mason jar salad, veggies and hummus, Naked Juice
Cross Country Skiing
Another great way to take in the beauty of Wisconsin winters is by skis. Wherever you can find snowshoeing or hiking trails is the perfect spot to latch on the skis and get moving. Rumor has it you can burn 500 calories in an hour of cross-country skiing.
Picnic to pack: Quinoa salad, almonds, Bai Antioxidant Infusion
Ice Skating
From Tenney Park in Madison to Winter Park in Minocqua, Wisconsin is scattered with beautiful outdoor ice skating rinks! Channel your inner Kristi Yamaguchi or Apolo Ohno and get active while having a blast.
Picnic to pack: Pita sandwich, applesauce, Fuze
New year and new goals, all without stepping foot inside a gym. Share your pictures of winter fun with us on social media using #discoverwisconsin.
- Kristen Finstad is a crew-member of the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin." The column is published Tuesday on the Life page in the Times.