Wait...don't hibernate

 It's official - summer is over. : (

That means colder weather's on its way. No more beaches, picnics and barbies. Chilly school mornings huddled on the bus. And long dark evenings blobbing in front of Home and Away or the XBox...

But while hibernation seems the easiest way to get through colder months, it'll do nothing for your crappy mood. Getting off the couch and getting active, on the other hand, fuels your body and brain - helping you combat the autumn/winter blues.

How much and how often?

To be at your best, you need to get active for 60 minutes a day, every day. Doesn't have to be all at once, though - walking to and from school, a game of indoor basketball at lunchtime, dancing in your bedroom, they all count towards the total.

You don't have to go hard out the whole time. Mix it up a bit - put in enough effort to get yourself a little breathless for a while - then go hard out for short bursts.

What?

If you're heavily into team sports, you'll probably have no trouble getting in your 60 minutes. But if you shudder at the idea of getting hot and sweaty in front of your mates, here are some other ways to get moving.

Create a home gym - bike inner tubes make great resistance bands, use plastic bottles filled with water for weights, and try skipping to warm up.

Go bowling or indoor roller skating.

Rent a yoga or Pilates DVD and give it a go.

Sign up to learn a martial art or take some dance classes.

Head to your local indoor pools - mmm, nice and warm!

Impress your mates by learning the latest dance moves from your favourite You Tube clips.

Even plain old housework counts - and you'll earn brownie points with your family (and maybe even extra pocket money).

For more ideas on how to fuel up for the colder weather, check out www.fuelled.co.nz