by Aurianna

Created on: November 14, 2008   Last Updated: December 10, 2008

When the snow begins to fly, people tend to avoid going outdoors. While it makes sense to want to stay inside by the fireplace, it also means missing out on the dozens of opportunities to not only burn off some calories, but also to enjoy winter in all its sparkling beauty.

And did you know that because of colder temperatures, your body will burn more calories trying to keep warm while you exercise outdoors? So what are you waiting for? Get outside!

If you're the type of person who becomes lethargic during the colder months, yet would still like to stay in shape, the following is meant to help you get started.

To begin with, just because everything is covered in snow doesn't mean there aren't limitless possibilties for even the most anti-winter person. Below is a list of fun, healthy activities that the whole family can take part in.

-Cross-country skiing (for those of us who would probably just hit a tree if we tried down-hill skiing.)

-Sledding (as long as you walk, instead of drive, back up the hill!)

-Shoveling snow (a chore, yes, but it is a work out!)

-Build a snowman (even if you don't have kids, it's still a lot of fun)

-Break a path through un-touched snow (it burns more fat to walk through knee-deep snow than it does to walk on a clear sidewalk)

-Have a snow-ball fight

Now, we all know how exercising even during the summer time can be easily neglected when schedules are already jam-packed, but you don't have to make it hard to fit in. For instance, you don't need a strict exercise routine that takes up an hour of your day; by shuffling things just a bit and making sure to be outdoors a mere 15-20 minutes a day, you can still keep the fat at bay.

Here's how:

-Instead of spending an idle afternoon inside watching Oprah (okay, maybe not Oprah, but television in general), take the kids, the dog, or your spouse or best friend outside. Bundle up and take a walk, even if it's just a few blocks and back.

-If you normally drive kids to school, start leaving a little earlier and walk with them instead (if this is feasible; I know some areas it just isn't).

-Have a few minutes before dinner? That's a good time to go play in the snow; plus, it will really work up an appetite (just don't over-do it when you eat, or you'll be working against yourself).

If you're like me, and just don't seem to have a minute to spare in your day no matter the season, I have a solution for that, as well. Here is the routine I follow during the winter:

-Every day: take a fast-paced 15-minute walk at any time I can fit it in

-Every day: park as far away from entrances to work/schools/stores as I can

-After a fresh snow-fall: take advantage of the good "packing snow" and get outside and build a snowman (and I don't even have children; it's just too fun to pass up!) Also, I shovel snow.

-Around the holidays: take evening walks before dinner to check out the Christmas light displays in the neighborhood

-Days off work: kill about an hour a day by being outdoors; either sledding, walking, making snow angels, or just enjoying the fresh air.

Keeping in shape through the winter months only seems like a daunting task; really, it's almost inevitable that the glittering snow will at some point draw you into the great outdoors, so why not make it happen a little more often, and get in a little exercise while you're at it?

Learn more about this author, Aurianna.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.