Many people look at the winter season as a time to let up on their outdoor exercise because the weather is too nasty. But there’s no reason to hibernate. There are plenty of things to do that aren’t just fun, but can also burn some serious calories.
Here are some winter activities and the calories burned. The number of calories will vary depending on your weight. So, for the sake of simplicity, this will be based on someone who is 160 pounds:
Downhill Skiing – Skiing isn’t just fun, it’s a great way to burn calories and workout your entire body. Make sure you warm up and stretch before you head out on the slopes. You should also stretch after skiing to minimize the pain. If you don’t, be prepared to feel like your thighs are on fire. If you ski for an hour (and who doesn’t ski longer?), you will burn about 740 calories.
Cross-Country Skiing – This is one of the less-popular snow activities, but it is one of the best ways to burn calories. Think of it as a cross between skiing, hiking, and running. For an hour of cross-country skiing you are rewarded with about 1,000 calories burned.
Sledding – This favorite childhood activity is a little more leisurely than most, but you can still burn nearly 500 calories while doing it for an hour.
Snowboarding – More popular than ever, this “extreme” snow activity will help you to burn close to 500 calories an hour.
Ice Skating – Why do you think ice skaters are so fit? Because an hour of even moderate ice skating can burn over 500 calories.
Shoveling Snow – Snow storms are blanketing the cooler U.S. climates. If you have to shovel snow, it’s usually seen as a chore; instead appreciate the fitness value and the more than 400 calories you’ll burn in an hour.