Summer is the time to spend outdoors in the beautiful weather! Here are some fun ways to stay active and lose weight during these coming months:
- Hiking
- Bike riding
- Swimming
Hiking: this is a fun way to increase movement throughout the summer whether this is an activity you do alone, or with friends or family. It is beneficial in terms of an increase in the amount of calories burnt compared to just walking due to the different incline walks it requires. Hiking also combines cardio with muscle building to help burn body fat consistently. If you’re up for a strenuous hike, look for a nearby bluff, like Sugar Loaf Mountain just 30 minutes away from the Metropolitan DC area.
Bike Riding: Steady paced bicycle riding for 60 minutes would burn about 300 calories. Increasing the intensity of the pace would increase the amount of calories burnt. Riding a bike outdoors is a great and fun way to enjoy the summer weather while contributing to weight loss. One of the most enjoyable bike rides I’ve had in our area is on the C&O Canal. The path is mostly level and goes for 185.4 miles from Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland.
Swimming: Swimming laps is a great way to beat the summer heat! Taking 30 minutes out of your day to swim a couple of laps would be beneficial to calorie burning which leads to efficient weight loss when performed consistently. This activity is also great to keep our bodies cool if the temperature gets too high and you are unable to stay outside for a significant period.
Not up for swimming laps? Here’s a fun tip about how to enjoy swimming this summer from one of my clients Jessica. If you want to keep your head out of the water and not have to use a cap and goggles, try this. Do a side or breaststroke or even go water walking and lower the bar about what it means to go swimming at the pool this summer. Instead, get in the water, and just move your body.
With so many activities to choose from, it is important to decide on which activity would be best suited for you and your needs! Contact us for more information on what might be best for you!
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Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Nutritionist-Dietitian
Lana Shahine
Nutrition & Food Science – Dietetics
University of Maryland, College Park | 2023