Weight loss isn’t just about eating less junk food. You also need to be active in order to burn calories and fat. Physical activity, even in small amounts, causes your brain to release dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals improve your mood while you take the steps to lose weight. They’ll act as positive reinforcement and encouraging you to get active again!
Working out at home or going to the gym can unfortunately be boring and tedious. For a change of pace and a change of scenery try some fun outdoor activities, especially during the warm summer weather. There are a ton of things to do outside and there are benefits to just being outside as well including an immune system boost from natural sunlight.
Consider one, or all three, of these great outdoor activities to help you lose weight:
Hiking
Going for a hike is great because you don’t need any special equipment aside from a good pair of shoes, water and maybe a buddy for company. Trails provide natural intensity spikes and walking on hiking trails burns three times more calories than walking on a flat surface. Walking is great in general, but getting out in nature on your walks is even better. State parks are a great place to find trails of all different lengths to get started.
Kayaking
If you’re more interested in being on the water rather than among the trees give kayaking a try. It is an excellent upper body and core workout. Being near water will also keep you cooler on the hottest days. Kayak rentals and lessons are relatively inexpensive and often available for the ocean and lakes as well as rivers and sounds, depending upon where you live. You can use a single-person kayak or a double to go out with a friend. If you really enjoy it you can invest in your own equipment as well.
Gardening
People are surprised to discover how much of a workout gardening can be. You can easily burn hundreds of calories in just an hour. Along with burning calories outside, if you grow your own fruits and vegetables, it makes it a lot easier for you to eat fresh, raw produce. Vegetables you have grown yourself always taste better and are more satisfying than store-bought ones.
MediPlan is committed to helping you lose weight by taking a different, more supportive approach to weight loss. Get back on track and stay on track with our completely personalized plans that include help choosing activities that are right for you.