10 Fun Outdoor Activities for Losing Weight this Spring

Beautiful young family with a baby in jogging stroller cycling outside in  autumn nature graphicstock

by    Lena Hemsworth
Contributing Author, passionate but clumsy kite surfer, nature enthusiast, always trying to keep up to date with the latest trends in the fitness industry

Spring is almost upon us, and it is time to put those New Year’s resolutions to the test. The season is right for shedding a couple of pounds by doing something fun outdoors. While losing weight is often a chore, the weather outside is bound to keep you motivated to stick it out ’till the end. The real challenge is picking out an activity. With so many to choose from, this can be quite a dilemma. So to help you out with your choice, we have decided to create a list of our 10 favorite outdoor activities for Losing Weight. Try them out, and watch as your body slims down a couple of sizes!

10 Fun Outdoor Activities for Losing Weight this Spring

1. Camping

After a long winter, nature is finally waking up from its slumber. And what better time to visit it! A camping trip with your family or a couple of buddies is the perfect activity for getting into shape while doing something exciting. Setting up camp, foraging for food, taking a dip in a stream, basically, everything you do in nature will burn plenty of calories.

2. Volunteering

Here is a novel idea: how about trying to work out for your workout? Farms, schools, churches, and other local places of note usually undergo springtime repairs and refurbishing, and they can get always an extra pair of hands. Communal labor is rewarding in its own right, and raising a barn or painting the side of a building is sure to put those extra calories to good use.

3. Cycling

A cyclist will tell you that riding a bike is something that you should be doing the whole year, but Spring is especially suited for taking a cruise ’round town. If you are tired of seeing the same old places and people, getting a couple of cruiser bikes and going for a trip to the next town over is a fun alternative. Cycling has been scientifically proven to be one of the more efficient ways of losing weight and staying in shape in general.

4. Roller Skating

A city-dweller’s favorite, roller skating has combined the speed of riding a bike, with the agility of getting around on foot. It is the quintessential mode of transport for fun-loving urbanites. It might take you a while to get the hang of having your feet strapped to wheels, but the payoff is well worth it. Shapely lower bodies are included in the package.

5. Hiking

If you live near a forest or a mountain, hiking along a trail is the perfect way stretch your legs after months of sitting indoors. While it is fun in its own right, hiking can be combined with many other fun activities, such as bird watching, hunting, and taking photos.  Bring a couple of friends along to crack jokes with, and you are set for the whole season. Getting lean while doing is just a bonus.

6. Climbing

Fans of extreme sports have probably been itching to climb the face of the cliff for months. The time is finally right to strap into gear and try tackling a new climbing challenge. While not for the faint of heart, climbing is an activity that burns fat faster than a frying pan, and the adrenaline rush you get after reaching the top of a particularly steep hill is hard to replicate.

7. LARPing

By now, everyone has heard Dungeons & Dragons, a kind of game where players take turns pretending to be wizards and warriors going on epic quests to slay dragons and rescue princesses. What many people don’t know is that these kinds of games can be played outdoors with makeshift weapons and props. The activity is fun enough to recommend on its own, but swinging a prop sword for an entire afternoon is great for losing a couple of pounds

8. Pets

Humans are not the only creatures eager to step outside once temperatures start rising. Pets like dogs also like the taste of fresh air, and Spring is the perfect time of year to have some fun together outside. An afternoon playing catch with your dog is a great way to put your body into action, and have some fun while doing it.

9. Music Festivals

Spring is the time of year where crowded bars and stuffy clubs are no longer cutting it as places for having fun. Enter the music festival. These events gather people from all walks of life in place to spend the night dancing to music. Do we have to explain why going crazy while listening to the tunes of your favorite band is a fun outdoor activity? And all that jumping around is sure to shave off a couple of pounds at the end of the night.

10. Martial Arts

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If conventional sport is not your thing, there are still plenty of activities to choose from for losing weight outdoors. Many of them come from the East and include techniques such as yoga and meditation, as well as straightforward martial arts such as kung fu or karate. They can be practiced alone, or in groups, and in addition to their health-related benefits, they are also known for bringing a sense of peace and calm to our minds.