We all indulge during the holidays—cookies, cakes, pies, pudding. Not to mention the wine, ham, creamy mashed potatoes, and that delicious sweet potato casserole with the toasted marshmallows on top. Consequently, our daily calorie count in December is probably a little too high.

For instance, last night I drank three cups of eggnog. By indulging in this single treat, I consumed 1,032 calories, 57 grams of fat, and 64 grams of sugar. To lose those calories I would have to run 10 miles at a 6-minute pace, which isn't going to happen. Luckily, you can count on small activities throughout the day to burn calories. Did you shovel yesterday’s snow? That counts. Built a snowman with your kids? You’re slowly whittling away those Christmas cookies. Here, a look at how everyday activities help you burn off those delicious holiday treats. 

Shovel the driveway (1 hour): 384 calories burned*

Build a snowman (1 hour): 256 calories
 
Snowshoe (1.5 hours): 768 calories

Cross country ski (1 hour): 512 calories

Chase kids around the yard (30 min): 160 calories

Sledding (1.5 hours): 672 calories

*Based on a 145-pound person. Weigh more? You’ll burn more calories.

—Image courtesy of Shutterstock