How to Lose Weight Skiing

Skiing can be a great cardio workout. Whether you want to hit the downhill slopes or explore the cross country ski trails, you can use this fun activity to lose weight. You'll have so much fun that you won't even realize that you're getting a great workout at the same time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Make your own trail. Whether you're going downhill or cross country, breaking trail in ungroomed areas will make your body work harder and you'll use more muscles and burn more calories. You can also get great views of scenic areas and wildlife when you're off the beaten path.
2. Ski regularly for better results. If you're relying on skiing to lose weight, you'll need to ski several times a week throughout the winter. One or two weekends of skiing can be fun, but they won't contribute much to overall weight loss unless they are a part of a larger weight loss program.
3. Take advantage of other winter activities. Many winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating can be great workouts. When you need a break from the slopes or the trail, consider switching it up. You can also snowboard or freestyle ski.
4. Strength train to improve your skiing and to help build lean muscle. Using weights can make you stronger on the slopes or trails and can help you ski longer. Aim for several sessions per week on days that you aren't skiing.
5. Take a class at a local ski club designed to increase your fitness. More resorts and clubs are offering classes that focus on using skiing to get fit. They incorporate stretches and different exercises that you can do on skis. You'll get the benefit of working with a certified instructor and having other members support you.
6. Look for hills on your cross country skis. Climbing hills can be a challenging way to burn some calories. You can also increase your speed on flatter trails.