To lose a pound of body fat, we need to burn off approximately 3,500 calories per week - that's above and beyond the number of calories you need to maintain your body weight.

For those of you in winter climates, enjoy the snow before it melts!

Cross-country skiing is one of the best fitness workouts around, burning nearly 500 calories an hour while working every major muscle group in your body: hamstrings, quads, shoulders, arms, back and abs.

Snowshoeing at a moderate pace on flat terrain can burn 400 calories an hour while working your thighs and rear.

Skating on the ice or at the roller rink burns over 400 calories an hour while sculpting the thighs, calves, glutes and hamstrings.

Skiing and Snowboarding is so much fun, it may not feel like a workout – but you’re burning 300 - 400 calories per hour working the legs, abs, rear and triceps.

Great options for warmer climates:

Running can burn off 600 calories per hour. Walking saves your knees and comes naturally – no matter how in-shape/out-of-shape you think you are. Walking burns 300 calories per hour. Take a brisk walk, 4 times per week and you can easily drop 1-2 pounds of excess weight in a month.

Hop on your bike. Cycling burns approximately 330 calories per hour, and it's an excellent sport to do with friends. Try running errands with a bicycle instead of your car.

Strenuous Gardening may feel sedentary, but digging, hoeing, planting and mowing is actually hard work. You’re burning 300 calories an hour making those little flowers grow...

As with everything in life, you get out of it what you put into it. To get the most out of these exercises.

Source: Calorie Control Council
Note: Averages provided, results will vary based on your level of activity and body weight.