Is it hard for you to keep up your exercise routine when the weather gets nasty? Me, too. But for keeping the immune system strong, maintaining a good energy level, and dodging those typical winter viruses, it's important that we stay active, no matter what the weather.

Craig Stolz, a medical researcher and writer for LifeWire, has some great suggestions on how we can do just that. But first, his precaution for those of us with blood sugar issues: "If exercising inside means a significant change to an established regimen, checking with a health care provider beforehand is recommended. He or she may offer specific guidance based on such factors as overall health, type of diabetes and glucose levels. For example, more frequent glucose readings or exercising on a different schedule may be necessary. AND, anyone starting an exercise routine for the first time should always check first with his or her health care provider."

With that advice out of the way, there are plenty of pleasant indoor activities that can help us stay active during the cold-weather months. Consider these:

Mall walking: Shopping malls are ideal walking environments - climate-controlled, usually quiet on weekday mornings and early afternoons, and full of places to sit down to take a glucose reading, catch a breath or have a sweet snack to ward off a glucose level drop. Lots of malls open before stores actually open to host walkers and walking clubs. Don't forget to hydrate during your walk, so bring water.

Swimming and water exercising: This low-stress activity is a great way to stay active in poor weather. Community centers, local pools and nearby hotels are good options. Some offer daily access for a fee. Swimmers need to remember to stay hydrated, too, so don't forget your water bottle.

Working out at a health club: Health clubs offer many ways to keep moving indoors, from group exercise classes to weight machine circuits. Some clubs offer day rates for nonmembers, per-class rates or weeklong passes. Winter might also be a good time to test a trial membership.

Home exercising: It's easy to be active even without leaving home.

Housework: Active housework, such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping or doing the laundry, provides benefits similar to those of structured exercise. Playing fast-paced music helps maintain movement.

Exercise videos: Videos can help people stay focused, teach new moves and provide good warm-up and cool-down periods. Some public libraries lend videos, and some digital TV services offer free exercise videos on demand. Exercise videos made especially for people with diabetes are available. One example is Walk Down Your Blood Sugar at Home, by walking expert Leslie Sansone.

Home workouts: Playing music and walking up and down short flights of stairs provides good exercise. Doing light calisthenics, jumping rope, bouncing on a mini-trampoline, and dancing are also good choices. Anything that works the big muscles and elevates the heart rate will do the trick.

So while we're practicing "moderation in all things" with our eating habits (I threw that one in for me), and being careful to eat the right things, let's be sure to stay active during these months of cold weather. Come spring, we'll be ready for anything and healthier than ever!