When the weather turns colder, a lot of people choose to become less active, telling themselves that they’ll start doing more once Mother Nature decides to turn the heat back up again. And while it’s certainly understandable to want to almost hibernate when the snow flies and the thermometer nears zero, the reality is that there are a number of different ways to increase your calorie burn in the more frigid winter months, giving you plenty of alternatives to consider.
Here are some to think about adding to your schedule the next few months:
- Skiing, whether downhill or cross country
- Snowboarding
- Shoveling snow
- Building a snowman
- Snowshoeing
- Hiking, depending on the terrain and weather, of course
- Sledding
- Walking, jogging, or running
- Ice skating
Whatever outside sport or activity you decide to do, be sure to dress in layers so that you can shed a few if you start to get too warm. Also, even though you may not feel thirsty, drink water often because you’re still going to lose some through sweat and regular bodily function.
When it comes to exercising safely, keep your eyes on the ground to avoid slipping on ice patches or putting your foot in a hole that you can’t see since it is under freshly fallen snow. Having a cell phone on you is important as well in case you find yourself in trouble and need to call someone for help.
Of course, you can always work out indoors by buying your own equipment or joining a gym near you. That way you will have access to all sorts of exercise machines and equipment created to help you burn more calories and increase your physical health—all without having to be in the cold at all.
What is your favorite winter exercises? Add them below and let’s see how long we can make this list!