by L.S. Watts

Created on: December 02, 2010

When the cold winds of winter arrive, most people crave foods that are packed full of carbohydrates and are high in fat. Many of those people take to the indoors to bundle up and stay warm. By indulging in this habit, not only are they missing the fun that can only be experience during the winter months but they also tend to pack on a few pounds.

What many people fail to realize is that by getting out and enjoying winter activities, they can also avoid gaining weight that they will later stress about losing in the spring. There are common winter activities that actually burn more calories than you might think.

Shoveling Snow

In some places snow during winter is inevitable. When this occurs, homeowners and business owners break out the snow shovels to keep their walk ways and driveways free relatively free of snow. In most cases this is a chore that must be done. For just 20 minutes of shoveling snow, a person can burn 186 calories. Even if you have a snow blower, you can burn calories. If you spent 15 minutes using the snow blower you would burn about 105 calories.

Snowboarding

Snowboarding is a favorite sport of some people during the winter. While you are out there having fun, you are actually burning calories. If a person goes snowboarding for 30 minutes that is 279 calories the person is burning off.

Skiing

Skiing is a common winter activity. Depending on what type of skiing you will be doing will depend on how many calories you will burn. For every 30 minutes of ski time, you will burn approximately 372 calories. Not too bad for enjoying yourself, eh?

Ice Skating

Ice Skating is another winter activity that provides a good calorie burn. Many places have indoor skate rinks so you don’t have to endure the frigid temperatures outside. Going ice skating even for just 30 minutes will allow you to burn 326 calories.

Snowmobiling

You wouldn’t think snowmobiling would actually burn calories but it does. Simply snowmobiling for 30 minutes will cause you to burn 140 calories. Not too shabby for just riding around in the snow.

Sledding

Sledding is a favorite winter pastime for children as well as adults. In fact, many people can’t wait to get back to the top to slide down again. Many people love to sled for hours. Children protest as parents bring them in to warm up. Probably the last thing anyone thinks about is burning calories. Well regardless, spending just 30 minutes sledding allows you to burn a whopping 315 calories.

Building a Snowman

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