Staying on track with your exercise goals can be extremely difficult in the winter. You may feel unmotivated to spend time outside, and it may get darker earlier in the day. Although there aren’t any more sunny days at the beach, keeping your exercise goals in the winter is possible. Learn more about how to stay active in the winter months.
Get Outside
Walking out the door is sometimes the hardest part of getting outside in the winter. Once you are bundled up and outside you can enjoy a frosty walk or enjoy activities in the snow. Playful activities in the snow can burn just as many calories as exercising. Building a snowman for an hour can burn up to 285 calories while making snow angels can burn up to 214. If you are looking for more of a high-intensity winter activity, going sledding for 30 minutes can burn 390 calories, with ice skating as a close competitor.
Winter Sports
Winter sports can build excitement and competition between you and your friends. A trip to the ice rink or the beautiful snow slopes can burn many calories. Ice skating and skiing are great activities for those looking to move their bodies. Ice skating for 30 minutes can burn 285 calories. Only 30 minutes of downhill skiing can burn 495 calories and half an hour spent cross-country skiing can burn 685 calories. No matter what sport you choose, dressing appropriately for the weather and using safe equipment with the proper precautions is important in ensuring an enjoyable and safe time.
Stay Active Indoors
Staying active indoors can be easier to do when it is storming outside. Instead of binging new TV shows, dedicating a little bit of time to working out can help you in the long run. Investing in at-home gym equipment can save you years of health aches in the future. If you do not have any gym equipment at home, getting creative with bodyweight workouts can help you get moving. At-home activities like cleaning and vacuuming may also leave you out of breath, and you can enjoy the benefits of a freshly cleaned home as well.
Work Outdoors
Did you know that winter yard work is not only productive but is a great workout? Chopping wood and shoveling snow are just a couple of outdoor chores that are necessary and are proactive forms of exercise. One hour of snow shoveling can burn 700 calories and half an hour of chopping wood can burn 350. Keeping your house warm and the sidewalk clear and safe from falls can also keep you healthy.
Move More When Out
When you find yourself out, it is easy to keep moving. At the grocery store, you can take an extra lap or two around the store. Opting for stairs over an elevator is always a great option to stay active and avoid a sedentary lifestyle. These extra calories each day add up and can affect your health in the long run.
NUTRITION PLANNING WITH DR. BALSAMA
Dr. Balsama is a leading bariatric surgeon in South New Jersey who is dedicated to helping his patients maintain a healthy lifestyle. For more health and wellness tips, schedule a consultation today with Dr. Louis Balsama.
