Losing it: how to put the freeze on winter weight gain

As You enter the holiday grazing season, consider getting a jump on your New Year's resolution and say goodbye to "old acquaintances" such as love handles and thunder thighs.

Your best defense against an American tradition of gaining 5 to 8 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day isn't just abstaining from seconds at endless office buffets, but by burning calories in a sport that combines fun and fitness--snow skiing.

Beginning as early as October in some regions, and extending into May, ski season offers Airmen a way to get and stay "Fit to Fight." What's more, it's an activity friends and family can join as you melt away those pestering pounds before your next fitness test.

Downhill skiing call be fast and exciting, but isn't just for the young and reckless. With a few hours of ski lessons, many beginners catch on well enough to find themselves hooked for life on a downhill descent.

Staff Sgt. Ben Hazen, the non commissioned officer in charge of Rocket Research at the Air Force Academy's Department of Astronautics, has been hooked on snow boarding for over a decade.

"I've been heading to the slopes 20 to 30 times per season since I started. I've always found it to be a healthy activity--both physically and mentally. Not only is it great exercise as my muscles ache by the end of the day, but being 'lost' in the serenity of the mountains is a great escape from the normal stressors of everyday life," he said.

Other types of skiing can be slow and serene. If your goal is to maximize calories while enjoying the tranquility of the snow-blanketed outdoors, cross-country skiing may be the sport for you.

Although everyone's metabolism is different, tests have shown people burn up to 800 calories per hour while cross-country skiing. That's one-third of the time it takes to watch an average football game, plus you won't be noshing on bratwurst, nachos and cerveza along the trails.

"Nothing gives you a great workout like cross country--and the beautiful scenery helps you forget just how hard you're really working," said Tech. Sgt. Sarah Wright, a reservist training manager with the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., who found cross-country skiing to be her ticket to fitness last winter.

This Saturday you can avoid hundreds of unnecessary calories by skipping the pigskin (literally and figuratively) and saying yes to fitness. And as for cost, the equipment is significantly cheaper than a downhill ensemble and ski passes are not required for many groomed trails.

If you want to take it even slower, you may want to strap on some snowshoes. Snowshoeing has become a popular alternative for people who prefer serene over "Xtreme."

However, you'll still get your heart pumping and your muscles burning as you make your way through the wilderness. Trails aren't required for snowshoes--designed to allow traversing over deeper snow. And although your muscles get a great workout while snowshoeing, the sport is relatively easy on the body.

Where the slopes are

You don't have to travel far to find great locations for fun in the snow. Highly rated ski resorts are found close to Air Force bases in many regions of the United States and overseas. Some of the best are Rocky Mountain Blue in Keystone, Colo., Ravenwood Ski Lodge at Eielson Air Force Base. Alaska, and Garmisch Armed Forces Recreation Center Resort located at the base of the Zupspitze, Germany's highest peak that reaches 6,265 feet.

For those serving in the Pacific theater, don't despair, Japan and New Zealand offer great ski locations such as Misawa Air Base's Land Ski Lodge, or the Craigieburn Valley Ski Area located 1.5 hours from Christchurch, New Zealand, Keep in mind though. skiing is a summer sport in New Zealand where the season typically stretches from June to October.

Gearing up

By renting equipment from your base outdoor recreation center not only will prices be about 25 percent lower than what you'd pay at a resort, but chances are the boots will have dried out since the last person returned them. More importantly, if your equipment needs are taken care of when you arrive at the resort, you'll spend less time in line and more time having fun. Be sure to visit the rental shop one week in advance to see if they have everything you'll need.

Some shops rent equipment for the season and allow free upgrades for those who may want to swap their beginner skies for a longer and faster set as their ability increases.

If you're looking to buy your own gear, buy last year's stock this year. Off-season sales sometimes offer as much as 70 percent savings on equipment and clothing. If you're not sure what you'll need, the person behind the counter will likely know what gear will be right for your proficiency level.

If you decide to buy used gear. make sure it has a fairly current binding that is set for your level of proficiency. This will allow your boots to break free from your skis when you fall.