Every year, thousands of people join the Hypothermic Half Marathon, a frigid, multicity run in Canada. Although it's virtual this year, in 2016 more than 500 folks in Winnipeg, Manitoba, endured minus-52-degree temperatures (with wind chill figured in) for the fun and glory of doing it.

Fortunately, according to a study from Laurentian University (located in Sudbury, Ontario), you don't have to endure such extreme exposure to reap the benefits of cold-weather exercise.

Researchers took moderately fit, overweight participants ages 18 to 30, and had one group do two sessions of high-intensity exercise in 32-degree temperatures. Another group did the same in 70-degree temperatures.

The cool group burned 358% more fat (measured by lipid oxygenation) than those working out at room temperature.

If winter weather is making you reluctant to get exercise outside, think again (as long as your doctor says it is okay for your heart).

Bundle up and head outdoors. If you do intervals of intense activity, you may burn as much fat in 30 minutes as you would in 90-plus minutes on a mild April afternoon.

And getting out of the house and immersed in nature (such as at a local park), as well as interacting with the world even at a distance (with a mask) is not just good for you physically, it will boost your mood and help you sleep better.

After that, you can finish getting your 10,000 steps or the equivalent on an indoor stationary bike or treadmill.