Physical activity and good nutrition are the bedrock of a healthy lifestyle. It can be challenging to stay active when it’s cold and snowy. It’s just a lot less fun to jog in the cold. Keeping your family physically active in the wintertime can be even more of a challenge. Fortunately, even when there is snow on the ground, you have lots of options to keep your family active and healthy all winter long.
Ice-Skating
If there’s a rink, or a frozen pond in your town, pack the family into the car and drive on down for a skate. Ice-skating is fun, burns 450 calories an hour, and is relatively inexpensive. If you do not own skates, most rinks will allow you to rent them. Beginner’s Tip: if you’re renting skates, rent hockey skates instead of figure skates. The blades are wider and easier to balance on. Indianapolis has plenty of great places to go skating, like Indiana World Skating Academy. Look for a rink near you.
Playing in the Snow
Build a snowman. Make a snow fort. Throw some snowballs. Playing in the snow with your kids is an excellent way to burn up to 300 calories. Make playing in the snow an all day family activity, and get healthy while having fun. Sledding is a great activity for the outdoors if you’re looking for another snow day activity?
Cross-Country Skiing
One of the most efficient exercises for burning calories is cross-country skiing. Thirty minutes of cross-country skiing at a moderate pace can burn nearly 300 calories. If you live in a rural area, look into buying or renting some skis for your family. Go skiing through the woods for a fun, relaxing family activity. Local state parks like Fort Harrison State Park are perfect places to go cross-country skiing. Here is a listing of even more locations.
Winter Walks
While some of these activities cost a little money, there’s one activity you can do in the winter that is completely free. Bundle up, put on some boots, and head outdoors for a walk. Walking in the winter burns 170 calories an hour. Taking a walk right after a snowstorm is great exercise, and it’s also a good chance to enjoy the true beauty of winter.
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