I live in a city so the gym is my best bet for a workout BUT I HATE THE GYM. It seems so artificial and it feels like a chore. I want to get fit and stay fit while enjoying the outdoors but it's winter and it's cold out. Any suggestions?

— Lindsay Thornhill, Ontario

There are plenty of ways around the I Hate the Gym Wintertime Blues for the modern urbanite. First of all, learn to enjoy the winter season. If you have access to snow, try some of the high-energy output, stay-warm sports like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice-skating. City parks, soccer fields, running tracks, golf courses, and other open spaces offer plenty of urban outdoor winter playgrounds.

If snow is in short supply, those same areas can suffice for running, walking, ultimate Frisbee, running stairs, speed golf, or other fitness activities. And since winter is typically the quiet season, getting outside for your workouts, even in heavily populated areas, will reward you with a pleasant respite from the standard hustle and bustle of the city. Proper apparel is essential if you want to enjoy your excursions instead of simply surviving them. Wear a non-cotton base layer, a fleece layer for insulation, and windproof or waterproof outerwear for protection from the elements. Make sure not to overdress -- you'll end up feeling like the Michelin man with layers wrapped all around you. Don't forget to bring along some fluids, even though you might not feel thirsty in the cold, you're still going to dehydrate through sweat and evaporation.

If some days you absolutely, positively can't get out of doors, use the gym but make it a creative experience. Rather than slaving over the same piece of cardio equipment from December to March, spend five to ten minutes on a variety of machines to get your heart rate up. If you alternate between the rower, bike, treadmill, stepper, elliptical trainer, recumbent bike, and jump rope, an hour of gym time will go by before you know it. Change the order and vary the intensity of each station to keep the workout interesting. Consider taking a class or hiring a trainer for some one-on-one sessions, or head to the court and join in for a game of basketball or volleyball. Doing two indoor workouts during the week and two outdoor activities during the weekend will go a long way to improving your fitness, while keeping you connected to the outdoors.