Winter tends to be the season when we eat a little more and maybe even gain a few extra pounds, mainly because we’re less active during this time of year. But just because it’s cold and snowy outside doesn’t mean you and your family have to hibernate inside. There are actually lots of ways to keep fit during the winter months and avoid getting “cabin fever.” By encouraging your family to participate in outdoor activities, you can motivate everyone to start moving, stretch those muscles and get a decent cardio workout. Check out these ideas for ways that your family can have some healthy, cold-weather fun.
Cross-Country Skiing
This winter activity will give your family a great workout with the same type of benefits you’d get from hiking or downhill skiing. As you and the kids make your way across the flat, snow covered ground, you’ll be working all the muscle groups in the shoulders, back, chest and legs while burning around 550 calories an hour.
Ice Skating
If your family is into roller skating or rollerblading in the warmer months, try the cold weather counterpart, ice skating. By gliding around the ice for just an hour, your family can burn more than 400 calories while strengthening leg muscles and improving endurance and balance.
Sledding
Sledding is a much loved winter activity that will get everyone moving while having fun. Sailing down a snow covered hill, trekking up to the top with the sled in tow and then back down again for another thrilling ride can put your family’s muscles to good use and give everyone a decent cardio workout as well. What a fun way to burn nearly 500 calories in only an hour.
Snowboarding
This is a favorite of kids in particular, mainly because it’s like surfing or skateboarding on the snow. With all of the swerving, jumping and maneuvering involved in this activity, snowboarding can actually tone the whole body. It also provides an excellent cardio workout by improving oxygen flow and strengthening heart muscles, and will help burn around 500 calories an hour.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is one winter activity that is becoming increasingly popular. And because it doesn’t require any special abilities, it’s perfect for the whole family. If you use the treadmill or walk during the warmer months, snowshoeing is a great winter alternative. It’s also great for burning calories; one hour of snowshoeing will burn about 500 calories. This cold-weather activity is also an excellent way to maintain a healthy heart. And if you use poles while snowshoeing, you’ll also be getting an upper body workout as well.
Note: Figures are based on moderate activity for a 150-pound person.
These numbers should only be used as an estimate of calorie expenditure.
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