The end of winter means the end of warm, satisfying comfort foods and intermittent hibernation. It also means the start of the skin-bearing summer wardrobe season. If your waistline didn't make it through the winter unscathed, the sunshine and fresh air provide ample opportunities to get active. It's also easier and cheaper to fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Hang Out in the Garden
Gardening burns about 130 to 200 calories per half hour. It also helps tone your arm and back muscles. If you plant fruits and vegetables, you'll have plenty of low-calorie foods to replace heavier winter fare.
Visit the Farmer's Market
When you fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables, you increase your fiber intake and decrease your saturated fat and calorie intake. Stock up on seasonal goodies at your local farmer's market every few days and make them the staple foods in your diet. If you ride your bike there, you'll burn an additional 200 to 500 calories per half-hour.
Hit the Beach
Swimming is one of the best exercises for your overall health. It's easy on your joints and muscles, allows for easy movements, works all the major muscle groups and can burn close to 500 calories per half hour. Swim laps while racing the clock to get the highest calorie burn. Recreation swimming burns around 200 calories per half-hour.
Join a Team
Summer is the perfect time to dust off your softball mitt or basketball shoes. Group sports burn about 200 to 400 calories per 30 minutes of active playing. If group sports aren't your thing, you can get your calorie burn in by surfing, golfing or rock climbing.
Knock out Home Repairs
Taking care of your lawn or ticking items off your honey-do list can equal serious calorie burn. For example, you can burn upward of 270 calories per hour mowing the lawn. Hauling around branches and wood works muscles and burns at least 300 calories per hour. Raking, planting and cleaning up leaves all burn off 240 or more calories per hour.
Picnic Somewhere Remote
Pack up some fresh, seasonal favorites and throw them in a picnic basket. Head to your favorite remote spot -- the top of a cliff, a picturesque spot deep in the woods or the far side of your favorite park. Hiking burns a minimum of 180 calories per 30 minutes. The heavier your basket, the more calories you'll burn.
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