When the weather gets cold, it can seem like a chore to go outside for a workout. However, before you lock yourself inside all season, take a cue from the kids. Remember how much fun it was to play in the snow when you were young? Well, there is no reason to stop now. Just walking around on snowy ground requires extra energy and burns calories. Here are a few other ideas to get you fit while enjoying the white stuff this winter.
Anyone who has ever gone sledding knows how exciting it can be to fly down a hill and slip and slide to the bottom. What you may not realize, though, is that this youthful activity is actually quite the workout. The average adult can burn more than 350 calories in an hour of sledding. How? Well, every time you reach the bottom you need to lug that sled back up. The steeper the hill, the more you burn and the more fun you’ll have on the ride back down.
Building a snowman is one of the quintessential winter activities. It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends, and also a great accomplishment when you display your finished masterpiece. In addition to all the joy a snowman brings, this wintery figure also helps get you in
shape. All that rolling and packing burns roughly 285 calories in an hour. When you’ve finished your snowy friend, continue the fun by picking a snowball fight with your fellow builders. Running and tossing soft snow around can burn another 320 calories an hour. When you finally tire out, why not make some snow angels? Just rolling around in the snow like this can still burn 200 calories an hour. Add all these together and you’ve had quite the winter workout!
Shoveling snow may seem like a chore, but next time you are getting ready to go out and uncover your driveway, put a positive spin on the situation. Skip the snow blower and use this task to earn yourself that extra slice of pie or cup of cocoa later. Shoveling snow by hand can burn more than 400 calories an hour for the average 150 pound person. This is just as much as a casual jog or bike ride! Just make sure you don’t injure yourself. Use proper form and always life the heavy weight of the shovel with your legs, not your back.
Another great winter working gets you out of the neighborhood and in touch with nature. Hiking through the snow burns about as many calories as shoveling, and is a great way to get out on a chilly afternoon. Feeling buff? Go snowshoeing instead. It burns more than 450 calories an hour! For those who prefer more thrilling sports, skiing and snowboarding are also great weekend choices. Each burns around 350 calories an hour and can easily take up a whole day. Just make sure you know what you are doing. If you’re new at these sports, get some basic instruction before you hit the slopes, and stick with the easy trails to start.
Just because there is snow on the ground doesn’t mean you have to lock yourself indoors. Going out in the snow is tons of fun for people of all ages, and is an excellent way to schedule fitness into your holiday season. Besides, you’ll feel a lot better about all those great holiday foods if you burn some extra calories off first.
As a final thought, consider doing cold weather training (playing in the snow) and a new training program offered here at Extremely-Fit. I know I’m personally starting the new ChaLEAN Extreme program just as soon as it is available! Have a fun winter!
