Dear readers, it may be warm where you read this but I assure you that our editor is hunched over his keyboard, pecking slowly through woolen mitts as misty breath occludes his screen.

So, come winter should you shrivel up, coccoon yourself in hibernative slumber, putting on pound after pound as you soak up the blue screen radiation from your oversize TV?

NO! Get out there, scream at the elements that want to confine you! I assure, no activity is so sweet as one done in the face of daunting challenge. Here are 5 examples:

1. Run in the rain/sleet/snow. Bundle up. You'll hate it until your halfway done but by the end you'll feel like a warrior, a champ!

2. Do something unfamiliar. Make a list of stupid things you wouldn't normally do, write 'em down, put 'em in a jar and each week draw one out and do it. 2 weeks ago I took swing dance lessons, nuff said.

3. Skiing, snowboarding, skating, sledding, ice-fishing, and anything else where the terrain is white and fluffy.

4. Work at a soup kitchen with a friend and/or loved one.

5. Go to the SPCA and take a poor unfortunate lonely dog for a walk before they gas it (just kidding, the SPCA rocks!)

Yes, it's true, we threw in the word SEX because the marketing department assures us that this will draw readers, and these lusty compositors will then proceed to purchase bin after bin of our acclaimed energy product.

However, there is some truth to the idea of 'sex as exercise'.
In some of the first laboratory studies to look at exercise and female sexual response, a researcher has found that vigorous physical exercise appears to “prime” a woman’s body for sexual arousal. In the studies, says lead author Cindy Meston, Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, the same group of women, on two different occasions, watched two films — first a travel film, then an erotic film. On the second occasion, the women had just finished 20 minutes of intense aerobic activity (stationary biking). Meston used subjective assessments (asking the women to rate their arousal level) as well as objective methods (measuring blood flow to the genital region) and found that after exercise, arousal levels were significantly heightened.

One study notes that you would need to run 75 miles to burn 7500 calories, OR, you can have sex 172 times. Well, as an anal time-hog I would say the more efficient use of time is a quick 75 mile run, heck that's only 3 marathons.

If you like to run, play volleyball, bike, or swim with your dog, you want a dog that really enjoys these activities as well. Not every breed is right for this type of activity, but there are some breeds that thrive on being active.

• Boxers will run alongside you and they love to swim. One main thing you need to be aware of about boxers is they're prone to drooling and snoring.
• English Cocker Spaniels These dogs are a thrill for active people. Cockers are playful all the time and are ready to go for a run with children or active adults. These dogs generally have long hair and needs some grooming. But they make great pets for those who enjoy the outdoors.
• Greyhound These are some of the largest dogs, and they are quite athletic. If you like to run, a greyhound might be right for you. They aren't the smartest of dogs, but they require a lot of activity to keep their large muscles active and invigorated. They can weigh nearly 100 pounds. One thing you need to know about greyhounds is that they are easily upset by sudden jerking movements or by sudden shifts in direction. So you need to be careful with them.
• Terrier These dogs are ready to go from the moment they wake in the morning till the second their head hits the floor for a night's sleep. Terriers typically need some training, but they are gentle animals. Terriers love to play, so if you get one, be ready for a lot of activity.

Win your own PROsnack Prize Pack: a Jar chock full of PROsnacks, bottles of mountain clear spring water, fitness magazines, a t-shirt and more! Just send us an email with your fitness success story or challenge:
winaprizepack@prosnack.com

Most of us neglect our vegetables, occasionally picking at a wilted salad or guiltily chomping a few carrot sticks. So, how does a busy person satisfy the body's veggie cravings?

1. Keep a stash of carrot and celery sticks in your glove compartment, desk drawer, or purse.

2. Ordering take-out? Add a salad or some veggie soup.

3. Add some veggies like peppers to your favourite sauce, or try using sprouts and cucumbers instead of lettuce in your daily sandwich.

Dear Flabby, I just turned 45 and I'm really tired of my routine. I want to live a more active life but don't know where to start. Advice? Trepidatious in Tennessee

Dear Loser,

What are you, a unicellular organism? Do you not have a brain? Any moron can think of one or two things to change their 'routine'. If you run, then bike. If you walk, then run. If you go to church, try a mosque. If you hate your wife/husband, get a divorce, have an affair, I don't care. The point is, your living in a deep, deep rut and the only way to do it is to do it, kapeche?

Until next month intrepid reader