If you generally exercise outdoors–taking walks, running or hiking–the cold winter weather may have you searching for indoor alternatives. In fact, most of us tend toward hibernation as soon as the temperature starts to drop.

You don’t have to turn to the treadmill or, worse yet, forgo your exercise routine altogether when the snow starts to fall, though. Find a winter activity that you enjoy and dress right, and you can exercise outside all winter long.

Winter Activities to Try*

• Snowshoeing - Find an open field and strap on the snowshoes for an excellent workout that will burn more than 550 calories in an hour.
• Skiing - Cross-country or downhill, skiing is the perfect winter activity to get you outside and active. Even at a light effort level, skiing can burn between 350 and 500 calories per hour.
• Sledding - Bundle up the kids and head to the hills! Sledding burns about 500 calories per hour, and it’s fun for the whole family.
• Ice skating – We wait all year for the opportunity to lace up those skates and hit the ice. Make a trip to the rink and burn about 400 calories per hour floating across the ice. And don’t forget to take the kids along for some family fun.
• Shoveling - It may not be your favorite winter activity, but clearing that driveway can burn about 200 calories in a half hour. Bring on the snow!

Bundle Up and Get Out There

If the thought of the cold air keeps you indoors, try some of these tips for making it easier to get outside and get active during the winter months.

• Warm up indoors. It takes longer for your muscles to warm up when you start exercising outside. Instead of warming up outdoors, try jogging in place, walking up and down the stairs or doing some jumping jacks for 5 minutes or so before you head outside.
• Layer it up. Wearing layers allows you to stay warm when you need to but also gives you the option of removing layers as your body warms up. The bottom layer should be a thin, wicking material like silk, Thinsulate or wool, but NOT cotton. You want a material that doesn’t stay wet. The middle layer should be an insulating material like fleece, wool or down. The outer layer should be a wind and water resistant material that holds in the heat but allows moisture to escape. As you get warm, you can remove layers and keep moving.
• Don’t forget your hat and gloves. A hat keeps heat from escaping through your head and protects your ears, while gloves keep your hands and fingers protected.
• Protect your toes. Wear appropriate shoes and socks for your exercise as well as the weather. Water-resistant boots, wool socks, or multiple pairs of socks may be necessary depending on the activity, the weather and the temperature.

Enjoying the outdoors even after the temperature drops can keep your exercise routine fresh and fun all winter long. Don’t let the cold keep you from being active. Find an activity that you enjoy and dress right and you’ll burn plenty of calories during the winter months.

*Calories burned are based on a 155-pound person. Source: NutriStrategy

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