Just because you're busy doesn't mean you're not working out

If there was ever a season of excuses, this is it.

It's too cold to workout.

I'm too busy with holiday preparations.

Traffic was crazy because of the snow and now the gym is closed.

Combine these cop-outs with the heavy sweets and hearty meals of winter and you've got a fitness nightmare on your hands (or, more accurately, your gut).

Keeping in shape does, of course, take some old-fashioned will to workout.

But winter and holidays demand certain activities (shoveling or shopping anyone?) that also allow you to burn a fair amount of calories, says Cherie Yannone of the online publication Food and Diet.

Yannone should know. She started foodanddiet.com five years ago "out of sheer desperation" because she couldn't find practical facts about real food and the exercise value of daily activities.

"I couldn't find just common sense information about weight loss and fitness," she says. "Not everyone can have a gym in their home; not everyone can afford a personal trainer."

Amen, sister.

So, thanks to Food and Diet, here are some seasonal activities and about how many calories a 150-pound person will burn per hour.

Eating: 85

The good news? Even during this season of overindulgence and expanding waistlines, every activity burns calories -- even cleaning your plate.

On the flip side, the measly 85 calories spent sipping eggnog or snacking on sugar cookies burns only a bit more than the equivalent of a Frango Mint (which is about 60 calories).

Cooking: 110

Sure, you could wimp out and order Boston Market for your Christmas meal or Portillo's beef trays for your holiday party. Or you could put some extra oomph into stirring those pots, rolling the dough and basting that Christmas turkey and you could break the 100-calorie mark.

This, of course, does not apply if you can't help but taste your culinary creations along the way.

Shopping: 180

Oakbrook Center, Spring Hill Mall, Woodfield, Charlestowne Mall or Westfield Hawthorn -- it doesn't matter which spot you choose. Elbowing your way through the crowds and scouring the stores for the perfect presents certainly benefits your body more than shopping online. And it's a bonus if you skip the escalators and take the stairs.

Ice skating: 300

Bust out your best "Blades of Glory" moves and head to Barrington Ice Arena, The Edge in Bensenville (FYI: Olympic skaters practice there), or your local rink and you could actually earn a respectable workout.

Wood chopping: 410

OK, Paul Bunyan, it's time to make that winter fire glow. Spend an hour chopping all the wood you'll need for the season and you will burn off more than the 336 calories in the three glasses of hot cocoa you'll need to warm up afterward.

Shoveling snow: 430

After the Chicago winter's snowy start, keep that shovel and salt handy. If you spend an hour clearing your driveway, you might be able to skip one trip to the gym -- shoveling equals about an hour on the stair climber.