An afternoon of skiing and a night filled with dancing sounds like the perfect way to spend a cold day, right? But is it enough to burn off those heavy winter cocktails and decadent desserts? Chances are you’ve indulged with the best of them this season. Good news is: Fitness doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, winter is the perfect time to dust off the old skates, snowboards, skis and swim caps. So how much exercise is needed to burn off 500 calories? (Yes, those last two cookies did count!) A 40-minute spin class or an hour on the rower might do the trick.
Just remember, it’s not all about the number on that fitness tracker. While the infographic below shows 10 ways to burn off fuel, there are countless ways to break a sweat solo — or with the entire fam (Daily Burn 365, anyone?). So skip the January mayhem at the gym (ain’t nobody got time for treadmill sign-up sheets!). We’ve got a few great ideas on how to get moving, while embracing those colder temps. If you need to pencil in a few more activities this week, it can be as simple as taking the stairs. Resolutions, kept.
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A Note on Nutrition
Exercise is a pretty incredible antidote for most things, but as the saying goes: You can’t out-train a bad diet. If you’re looking to really clean up your act, aim to eat as clean as possible (in addition to committing to a fitness routine). With diet and exercise in check, you’re setting yourself up for a year filled with success. And yes, a few well-deserved cheat meals.
Originally posted on December 2013. Updated January 2016.