Burning Calories in the Snow

Let's face it.  Most of us don't have the luxury of living in a climate where it is warm and sunny 12 months out of the year.  Instead we must learn to deal with all four seasons ,including the dreaded winter.

But, thinking positively, there are plenty of things to do outdoors in the winter where you can burn calories : lots of them!  So, try one of these high-intensity, fun winter activities today:

• Cross country skiing
• Downhill skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Hiking
• Dog-sledding
• Zip lining
• Sled riding : especially if you find a really steep hill!

• Snow tubing

It's important to keep in mind that whatever winter outdoor activity you decide to take part in, it's necessary to dress in layers, remain hydrated and watch for signs of hypothermia.

Remember to warm up first.  Just like you were working out indoors, warming up first before you get started working out outdoors is definitely important.  Colder temperatures can cause your muscles to tighten up, so a proper warm up session will help prevent injury.

When you come in from out of the cold, it's also important to NOT strip down and remove all of your layers.  Give your body time to adjust from your outdoor workout.  Post-exercise hypothermia is possible, so be sure to let your body adjust before taking off all of those layers.

Staying hydrated is also a big one, so be sure to have plenty of water on hand for whatever outdoor activity you choose.