Summer is the ideal time to lose weight. The weather is perfect for activity, you’ll feel more positive, and studies show that hot weather can even reduce appetite. Not to mention you can enjoy healthy summer foods like fresh fruit and smoothies. But what should you be doing this summer to lose weight? Luckily, the season gives plenty of fun opportunities to improve your health and shed those extra pounds. Here are 5 fun summer weight loss activities you should try.
Swimming
Swimming is the perfect summer exercise. It keeps you cool, lets you enjoy the sun, and it’s actually one of the most effective full-body workouts you can get. Just 30 minutes of front crawl swimming can burn up to 400 calories. Breaststroke burns around 360 calories. Even leisurely swimming will help you burn a fair amount. Swimming also helps to build muscle strength, endurance, and overall cardio health. That’s more than enough reasons to jump in the pool. Nothing feels better than being under the water on a hot day, so take advantage of this fantastic summer exercise while you can.
Trail Running
Do you want to take advantage of open hiking trails, experience some great views, and lose weight while you’re at it? Trail running is your go-to activity. Research by Cool of the Wild found that trail running burns more calories than any other outdoor pursuit! A one-hour trail run can easily burn over 1,000 calories. For a lot of people, that’s half of their daily intake. But don’t worry, you don’t have to go all out. You could do a short HIIT sprint through a trail for impactful results. Even just hiking and enjoying the view will help you burn some calories.
Canoeing
Lakes and beaches are amazing places to be during the beautiful summer weather. So to get the most of them, try out some water sports for weight loss. Paddleboarding, water skiing, and surfing are all fun ways to enjoy the water and burn calories. But canoeing might be the best, burning around 500 calories in an hour. Kayaking is similarly helpful. Lakes and beaches often offer rental canoes and kayaks, so see what’s available in your local area.
Outdoor Yoga
Yoga is an effective activity for weight loss, strength gain, and relaxation. But it’s even better in the summer. All you need for yoga is a mat, so you can do it anywhere you want, including outside under the sun. You’ll improve your flexibility and tone your muscles while simultaneously getting a tan. You can simply carry out your morning routine in your backyard or take your mat to the local park. You could even find an outdoor yoga class to enjoy it with a group.
Football/Soccer
Feeling inspired by the World Cup? You should be. Not only is soccer incredibly fun, it’s also very simple to play. All you need is a ball and some friends. A five-a-side game at the park will have you sweating off those extra pounds, and nothing feels better than scoring a goal. Of course, it’s not the only outdoor sport. Basketball, tennis, and even frisbee are also fun outdoor summer sports that will help you improve your summer body.
With the beautiful weather and long days, there’s plenty of fun summer weight loss activities to try. Make the most of these months by doing something exciting. Even if you don’t usually enjoy exercise, this is a great first step to start living a healthy lifestyle. Have fun and enjoy the rest of your summer!
