Winter Work-out-land

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, and so is that treadmill. Winter is the get-out-of-exercise free card right? Hardly! I'll bet if Santa checked your shopping list he'd see more naughty than nice. Especially if you're hitting the heavy holiday carbs, you need to stay active to avoid falling into a health rut come the new year. Don't be a fruitcake this holiday season, try these fun winter workouts!

• Shovel the sidewalk: Oh come on, you have to do this anyway. This year, skip paying the kid down the street and just shovel it yourself. Remember to hold the shovel close to you and bend your knees when lifting anything heavier than a snowflake to keep the strain off of your back.
• Go for a hike somewhere that isn't shoveled and get some cardio in (but be sure bundle).
• Build a snowman: Take the kids out and build a snowman or two. Split into teams and see who can build a snowman faster.
• Go ice skating: Indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks are a fun way to get a work out when it's cold out.
• Go sledding: Gotta great hill nearby? Instead of setting the kids loose while perched on a bench nearby join in the fun. And when you get to the bottom of the hill race each other back up to the top.
• Have a snowball fight: And don't be a wimp, go all out in a Rambo-style snowball fight. Running, jumping, throwing, ducking, all of these things get your heart pumping to work off that gingerbread latte.
• Learn to ski or snowboard- both snowy weather classics and fun even if you're a beginner.