3 Calorie-Busting Winter Workouts

During the winter people often become sedentary because cold weather makes it more difficult to get outside and exercise. However, there are a few good cold weather activities that can help you stay in shape until the weather warms up:

Winter Workout #1 – Shoveling Snow

If you have ever shoveled snow before, you know what a fantastic workout it provides! It gets your heart pumping and muscles working like few workouts can. Rather than groaning the next time a snow storm is heading your way, gather up your boots, gloves, hat and scarf and wait eagerly for the first flakes to fall. Shovel in multi-sessions rather than waiting until there is a foot or more of snow on the ground; otherwise you’ll probably overdo it and regret it later. Shovel when there are 6 inches or less of snowfall on the ground – unless it’s heavy, wet snow, in which case you should shovel more frequently. You can burn more than 400 calories per hour shoveling snow! (Note that shoveling can be a very strenuous activity; be sure your doctor says your heart is strong enough to do it.)

Winter Workout #2 – Cross-Country Skiing

Unlike traditional skiing, cross-country skiing takes place on level ground. If you don’t have any official cross-country skiing routes in your area, you could use public parks or snow-covered walking paths. Cross-country skiing can burn more than 500 calories in an hour and give you a fantastic all-over workout.

Winter Workout #3 – Brisk Walking

Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a nice, brisk walk outside. However, if there is snow on the ground or if the temperature is too cold, you can easily take this workout indoors. If you have a treadmill, set it at a brisk speed and walk for 30-60 minutes. If you don’t have a treadmill at home, join a gym or if you can afford to buy one do so.  If neither of those options works for you, you could simply march in place at a brisk speed and burn the same number of calories. Brisk walking or marching can help you burn nearly 300 calories per hour.

These winter workouts are all very easy to put into practice, but the bigger challenge might be motivating yourself to get moving when you’d rather be snuggled up in front of the television. Just keep thinking about lying on a warm beach in your sexy swimwear – and how glad you’ll be that you kept up with your winter workout routine.