Burn Calories in the Winter Snow

As I look out my window and see snow falling upon piles of snow, I lose all my motivation to exercise. I am not a warm-weather runner (or a runner at all!) but I do need the sun to feel perky. I realize however that not everyone is like me, and some of you would rather be out enjoying the winter weather rather than bumming it on the couch in front of the fire with a book. I can’t be the only couch potato in this world, can I?

For those of you who do enjoy being out in the winter snow, congratulations! You’re burning lots of calories by moving your body.

Here are a few popular winter activities, and the calories you can burn by participating in them. Keep in mind these are estimated for a 30-year-old woman of about 180 pounds (yes, that’s me). If you weigh more, you will usually burn more calories, because your body is working harder to do the same amount of exercise.

Skiing: 500 calories/hour

Ice Skating: 500 calories/hour

Sledding: 500 calories/hour

Snow Shoeing: 600 calories/hour

Basically, if you’re on a winter holiday in Tahoe or Reno, you’re burning way more than you’re taking in via the occasional hot chocolate or evening cocktail. Don’t let that be an excuse to indulge though – you want to burn more calories than you consume, not break even!

For those of you who prefer to stay indoors during the cold weather, here are a few activities for you:

Treadmill Walking at 3mph: 240 calories/hour

Climb Stairs: 500 calories/hour

Bowling: 220 calories/hour

Jogging at 5mph: 600 calories/hour

So…whether you’re an “innie” or an “outie,” get up and move, and work off that Starbuck’s Latte that I know you’re sneaking in each day.