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4 Outdoor Activities to Burn More Calories in the Winter
Staying true to your commitment to live a healthier, active lifestyle can be difficult when it’s 15 degrees outside. Why workout when you can turn the heat up, burrow into a mountain of blankets and binge-watch crime shows?
But staying fit and burning calories requires year-round dedication. In fact, winter may be the best season to get your exercise in. A study by the University of Utah found that basal metabolic rates actually increase slightly in colder climates, due to the extra work your body puts in to keep warm.
A university in the Netherlands even went so far as to say, “regular exposure to mild cold may provide a healthy and sustainable alternative strategy for increasing energy expenditure.”
It isn’t enough, however, to simply sit, shiver and wait for the pounds to start dropping. If you wish to sustain your healthy, active lifestyle, try these four outdoor activities to burn more calories in the winter. And with all these activities, remember to stay properly hydrated for maximum results!
1. Start A Snowball Fight
Need a fun, competitive way to burn more calories in the winter? Start a snowball fight with your family or friends! Running to dodge the enemy can help burn up to 200 calories per hour, and thicker snow provides extra resistance to keep your legs strong.
2. Head to the Ice Skating Rink
Ice skating isn’t just a fun winter activity – it’s also a great way to burn calories, since it requires constant movement to keep you going. A trip to your local indoor or outdoor skating rink can burn up to 500 calories per hour, and give your lower body a complete aerobic workout; complete with lunges, squats and stretching. If you don’t know how to ice skate, check out this guide to get started.
3. Go Sledding
Your favorite childhood activity is also a great way to burn calories in the winter! Astonishingly, you can burn up to 500 calories per hour simply walking up the snowy hill so you can sled back down. Your core muscles are also used to help you steer the sled and stay in control on the way to the bottom.
4. Shovel the Snow
Forget the snowblower and plow service – while it’s not entirely “fun”, shoveling snow can help you burn up to 400 calories an hour! Taking the time to manually clear off your front porch and driveway helps keep you moving, while also working your arm muscles. Just remember to lift the snow from your knees, not your back!
What are some other outdoor activities to burn more calories in the winter? Share your ideas in the comments!
