Woman sheds 100 pounds, becomes figure skater

Sandra Chambers, 43, is one of many adults who enjoys the sport of figure skating for recreation and health.

According to Yahoo! News, Chambers began figure skating two and a half years ago to lose weight. Since then, she's lost more than 100 pounds and has become a competitive skater.

"In April 2011, I competed for the first time at the adult figure skating national championships," Chambers told Second Act Videos. "In the bronze division, I placed third in my group of 14 skaters. To be on the podium was the most amazing feeling. I was so proud of myself, I really was."

The U.S. Figure Skating Association reports that an increasing number of adults are hitting the ice for fitness and fun, according to MSNBC.com.

In addition to providing a great aerobic workout, figure skating helps to improve balance and endurance.

The news provider reports that the American College of Sports Medicine says that a 150-pound person can burn as much as 600 calories an hour spent ice skating. That's about the same as running five miles in an hour.

"I think [ice skating] truly addresses all components of fitness at any level," Dr. Angela Smith told WebMD. "It can be done across a lifetime and can be done individually or as a group sport. To be able to do all those things makes it a pretty unique sport, in my mind."

Those looking to try ice skating as a fun way to stay in shape all year long may consider purchasing used hockey skates or figure skates to keep costs low.