Burning Through Winter

Shovel, skate, ski—take your pick. Whether it’s ordinary outdoor activities or cold-weather sports, you can burn calories and fend off weight gain by moving this winter. Remember to bundle up when exercising in the cold. Wear gloves, hat and layers, with the outer layer protecting against wind.

Give yourself a little more time to warm up and stay hydrated, even if you don’t feel thirsty. It’s all worth the effort: Exercising will get your heart pumping, increase your oxygen intake and boost your energy level, something especially welcome in the chilly months of winter.

Here’s a glimpse at the estimated benefits of 30 minutes of the following activities. (Factors such as weather and exertion may affect calories burned.)

Shoveling snow. By hand, that is—no snow throwers allowed. A 130-pound person will burn 234 calories in a half-hour; someone who weighs 150 pounds will burn 270 calories.

Ice-skating. A normal pace can burn 273 calories for someone 130 pounds or 315 for someone at 150 calories.

Downhill skiing. Not quite as taxing as cross-country skiing; still, with moderate effort you can burn 234 calories (at 130 pounds) or 270 calories (at 150 pounds).

Snowshoeing. In 30 minutes, you’ll burn 312 calories if you are 130 pounds or about 360 calories if you are 150 pounds.

Sledding, tobogganing or bobsledding. Have a blast and watch 273 calories melt away (if you are 130 pounds) or 315 calories if you are 150 pounds

Ice-skating. A normal pace can burn 273 calories for someone 130 pounds or 315 calories for someone at 150 pounds.

Walking. At a pace of about 3.5 mph (17-minute mile), you’ll burn 148 calories (130-pound person) or 171 calories (150-pound person) in 30 minutes.

Running. For someone who runs a 10-minute mile (6 mph), in 30 minutes you can burn 390 calories if you're 130 pounds, or 450 calories if you're 150 pounds.

Article Source: Fitness Jumpsite!