11 reasons losing weight is easier in the summer

We all know that in order to lose weight we need to burn more calories than we consume and exercise more. It’s easier said than done, especially in the winter months when all you want to do is eat comfort foods and curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket.

Research shows that “according to studies out of the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the University of Georgia, our average caloric intake decreases about 200 calories per day in the summer compared to fall and winter.”

That being said, losing weight in the summer is much easier. We tend to be in a better mood, participate in summer sports, crave healthier foods, and sweat more.

The hot weather plays a huge roll in summer weight loss. Research has shown that we digest our food more slowly in hotter weather, which leaves us feeling fuller longer.

You can plan an active vacation

“Summer is a typical travel time, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit poolside the entire time you're away! If you’re on a cruise, book an active excursion like ocean kayaking or snorkeling,” Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in Jersey City, NJ, says. “Visiting a new city? Book a walking tour. Or plan a fitness vacation like a surf camp or yoga retreat. You'll feel good burning some calories!”

You can make a healthy smoothie

“Talk about a weight-loss-friendly meal in a glass! My summer go-to is my Wild Blueberry Peanut Butter Smoothie, which combines fiber-rich fruit and antioxidant-offering wild blueberries with low-fat milk and plain Greek yogurt for protein,” Gorin says. “The smoothie also contains banana for extra fiber, as well as peanut butter for filling healthy fats.” The meal will help keep you full at breakfast time so that you’re less likely to snack throughout the morning, she adds.

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