Jenn's Losing It

The thought of doing every exercise sesh over the next few months inside a sweaty gym doesn’t exactly get you pumped for  winter workouts . So head outdoors—really!  These creative ways to stay fit in the cold are WAY more enjoyable than another trip up the StairMaster. Take Up a Winter Sport Just because you can’t play beach volleyball right now doesn’t mean you can’t get sporty in the winter. Try snowboarding  or skiing (the downhill or the  cross-country  variety). And don’t forget your  helmet ! Have a Snowball Fight Could there ever be a more fun way to break a sweat in the wintertime? Nope. While pelting snowballs isn’t necessarily the most hardcore outdoor workout ever, "snow is heavy for your feet, so the muscles on your legs are getting worked just running around trying to dodge a snowball," says Monica Nelson , American Council on Exercise-certified fitness expert. Go Running Don’t let the chilly temps stop you from logging miles outside! As long ...

This routine boosts metabolism, slims you down and sculpts lean muscle. Not bad for 30 minutes of your time Ketchup or mustard? Flats or heels?  The X Factor  or The Voice ? That eternal fitness face-off—cardio or strength training—is just as perplexing. Cardio is a known calorie crusher, but strength workouts build muscle and  boost metabolism . But you don't have to choose sides: A new regimen experts have dubbed metabolic conditioning offers the best of both. By combining short, high-intensity work periods, little to no rest between weight-loss exercises, and big-body movements, metabolic conditioning challenges your strength, power, and cardiovascular endurance in one workout—maximizing  calorie burn  during and after a sweat session, says Frank Salzone, a group fitness instructor for Equinox in New York City. It also helps improve your muscles' ability to use energy during workouts, so you can push harder and get better results over time. Sound too good to ...