Winter workout aid: Try on summer shorts

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CHICAGO, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- It's temping just to hibernate indoors during the winter but a U.S. fitness expert suggests trying on summer shorts to stay motivated to exercise.

Valerie Walkowiak, medical fitness-integration coordinator at the Loyola Center for Fitness near Chicago, said keep a pair of summer shorts in the drawer and try them on every couple weeks to make sure they still fit.

"Your outdoor running and walking routines don't have to go away when it's cold, just modify it a little," Walkowiak said in a statement.

Modify clothing, perhaps change the time of day to take a walk -- during lunch when it is sunnier than after work or early morning when it is darker -- or change the location and instead of walking around the block, take a walk through a mall or an office building.

Other ways to stay motivated in winter include:

-- Find an exercise partner. Schedule a time with a friend to exercise and get together for healthy potlucks and weigh-in accountability.

-- Pick fruit and veggies in season and discover new recipes to share at a healthy potluck.

-- Purchase a gym membership. Most fitness centers have promotions going on in January.

-- Try something new. Purchase a new fitness video you can do at home or start a new fitness activity to keep you going until spring.