As the weather turns cold, exercising outdoors is less and less appealing. The number of joggers, morning exercisers and after-dinner strollers drops with the temperature.

Bundling up makes vigorous exercise difficult, our nose turns pink and our ears get cold. Those disinclined to exercise in good weather - and there are many - are even less inclined to brave the elements.

A national survey released last Wednesday showed that less than one third of the Chinese population engages in regular physical exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes. Though many people do exercise, they don't do it regularly, and seniors exercise more than younger people, according to the State General Administration of Sport .

Being a couch potato, watching TV and eating snacks is more tempting in winter, but as a result of inactivity, we put on weight.

There's the gym, of course, for a workout, dance and exercise classes. Some young women prefer yoga and pilates. Ping pong is played indoors. There are enclosed courts for badminton, handball, and other sports, and indoor swimming pools.

There are lots of options - and few good excuses for doing little or nothing.

Here we look at several people who exercise, more or less, in chilly weather.

Indolent lady

Ye Ming, 40, works in an office and sits before her computer terminal for eight hours a day. She does walk to work for 15 minutes.

Her sedentary life does not include regular sports.

"I almost never do any physical exercise," says Ye. "Walking to the office and doing some housework are my only exercise."

After work, she says, "it's time to relax, watch TV or do some light chores."

From expert

Get moving. No excuses.

Many evening couch potatoes like Ye always make the excuse that they're too busy or too tired to exercise, or it's too cold to go out.

"Come on! It's time to change old habits," says Lu.

If it's too hard to go outdoors, exercise indoors ,  you don't have to go to the gym.