The days grow shorter, the temperatures drop, frost collects on the windowpanes, and many of us end up doing as bears do — hibernating inside. "Most of us experience some change during the winter months," explains Janet Laubgross, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in private practice in Fairfax, Virginia, who specializes in weight management. With the cold wind whipping outside, who wouldn't want to bundle up in a fleece blanket with a mug of hot chocolate in front of your favorite television show?

"The key is balance," explains Katherine Tallmadge, a spokesperson for American Dietetic Association. "Happiness cannot be achieved by inertia and inaction. We need to create it for ourselves; it just doesn't happen." It should come as no surprise that watching television is the lowest metabolic activity next to sleeping, according to Tallmadge. "During the winter, people tend to be more sedentary," adds Dawn Jackson, a registered dietitian with the Northwestern Memorial Wellness Institute in Chicago. "Also because you're spending more time inside, you have more access to snacks."

The following tips will help to keep you active and engaged during the chilly months. Many of these activities can be done with your children, so the entire family can join in the fun.

* Soup's On: Make batches of soups, stews, or chili. "It's a good way to get in a lot of veggies and feel full, often with fewer calories," says Tallmadge. "And having soup in the fridge is a good way to avoid the temptation of take-out at the end of a long day." Check out our guide to Make-Ahead Soups, Chilies and Stews.

* Home Improvements: Make a short list of home-improvement projects. Whether it's refurbishing a chair, cleaning a closet or organizing your photos, have these ideas planned ahead of time, so when the snow day arrives, you have the materials for your project, suggests Laubgross. "Beyond giving you something do inside, these kinds of activities will give you a sense of accomplishment."

* Hobby 101: Explore a new hobby, such as sewing, photography, knitting, or beading. "If you're not sure what to take up, think about what your interests were as a child," suggests Tallmadge. If needed, take a class to help you get started. Also, the fruits of your hobby can often translate into holiday gifts, which means less stressful holiday shopping for you.

* Bringing in the New Year: Set a goal for the New Year. For example, take a dance class so you can be dancing fabulously for that New Year's Eve party, suggests Tallmadge. Bead a necklace or knit a scarf for a special occasion.

* Kitchen Confidence: Enroll in a cooking class with a focus on healthy eating and recipes. If there isn't a class available in your area, purchase a new health-conscious cookbook and try out the recipes.

* Baking with Less Sugar: Bake an apple or butternut squash with a pinch of a cinnamon for a warm, tasty treat, suggests Jackson. To cut the sugar in other recipes, try substituting maple syrup, particularly in pumpkin pie and oatmeal cookies. The general substitution rule is two-thirds a cup of maple syrup for one cup of white sugar.

* Warm Wake-up: Eat oatmeal — or other warm grain cereals — in the morning to keep you warm and satisfied. Keep an eye on sugar content in various oatmeal products or sweeten it yourself with cinnamon, allspice, soy milk, or almond milk.