Spring is prime time for weight loss. First, we all are ready to shed heavy winter clothes and the extra pounds they’ve been covering up. The return of warm, sunny days gets us excited to go outside and be active. And many favorite healthy foods come back into season in grocery stores and local farmers markets, so we have lots of choices to put delicious variety into our meals and snacks. If you’re eager to make the most of the season, check out this guide to the best tips, hints and tempting food for losing weight this spring.
Seasonal Shift
We get a head start on weight loss in spring because we naturally tend to eat fewer calories at this time of year. Researchers theorize that we tend to stockpile calories in winter because our ancestors did when food was scarce during the cold months. Check out this story to find out about five more reasons why spring is the best season for healthy weight loss:
Get Organized
Your home and routine could use a refresh in spring and it can help you speed progress to your weight loss goal. Start by going through your pantry and pulling out items that don’t fit your healthy eating plan. Gather up boxes of mac-and-cheese mix, sugary cereals, bags of candy and other high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and take them to your local food pantry.
Learn how to organize your pantry and clean out your fridge to support your weight loss success with the articles below:
Spring Clean
When the weather outside grows bright again, we like our homes to sparkle, too. A thorough cleaning also helps with weight loss. That’s because our metabolism heats up while we’re doing housework. An hour of mopping floors, washing windows, or mowing the lawn burns 270 calories (150-pound person).
Get tips on how to spring clean your way to weight loss and find out the best chores and activities to burn calories below:
Wardrobe Purge
Treating yourself to flattering new clothes for the warm season is one of the best rewards of losing weight. On the other hand, experts say that holding on to clothes that have become too big for your new shape allows you to consider the possibility that you will regain the weight you’ve worked so hard to lose.
Strengthen your commitment to the new and improved you by taking all of the old clothes out of your closet this spring and donating them to a group that will distribute them to the needy. That’s just one of the spring weight loss tips guaranteed to work that we’ve compiled for you here:
Warm Weather Fun
Beautiful spring weather entices us to get outdoors and enjoy the bright sunshine and balmy breezes. This season is the perfect time to try out new ways to exercise and be active outside. There are so many warm weather activities that torch calories!
Walks in the park become more pleasant as we listen to the birds singing and see the flowers emerging. Hiking local trails makes walking more challenging and gets us feeling fit faster.
Riding a bicycle tones muscles and burns calories, and it can be a fun way to spend time together as a family. Golf, tennis, and the popular new game of pickleball give you the thrill of competition along with the benefits of healthy activity. In many areas, you can find yoga, Zumba, and other fitness classes held outside in spring.
Seasonal Eating
Spring brings an abundance of fresh choices to the produce section of the supermarket and local farm stands. When fruit and veggies are grown near where you buy them, you can be sure they’re at the peak of ripeness, flavor and nutrition.
Asparagus, lettuce, spinach and strawberries are among the popular items that peak in spring. These seasonal spring foods are at their best this time of year and can be incorporated into many healthy meals and recipes.
Want to learn how to grow your own healthy spring produce? Gardening is a great warm weather activity that can help you burn calories! Get started with these home gardening tips for beginners:
Grill Prep
When you’re ready to start cooking over an open flame again, take time to get your grill prepared for the season. We’ve got everything you need to know in our Guide to Getting Your Grill BBQ Ready. Among the many helpful hints, you’ll find advice on replacing drip pans and emptying the grill’s grease tray so your food doesn’t get torched by a fire.
Top Tastes
The Nutrisystem menu is full of irresistible items that are sure to light up your taste buds this season. From seasonal veggies and warm weather flavors to fruity favorites that taste like spring, you’ll love our large menu filled with variety.
Discover the best of spring flavors with artichokes and spinach in this delicious, easy dinner. Our Artichoke and Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast combines these seasonal favorites with Swiss, American and Parmesan cheeses stuffed inside juicy chicken breasts. Packed with 17 grams of protein, this meal will leave you feeling satisfied and ready for more.
Our Chicken with BBQ Sauce satisfies your appetite for a hot meal that’s loaded with the flavors of warm-weather cookouts. Indulge in tender shredded chicken paired perfectly with sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, complemented by zesty green bell peppers. Enjoy the right balance of smoky and savory flavors. Serve it in your preferred wrap or whole grain roll. It’s a good source of protein that reminds us of sunny days ahead!
Enjoy the sweet taste of spring in every bite of our Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake. If warm weather and sunshine has you craving ripe, red strawberries, this is the dessert for you. It’s a good source of fiber and will satisfy your spring dessert cravings in a perfectly portioned, 130-calorie snack.
Celebrate sunshine and longer days with this sweet, citrus delight. Our Lemon Zest Cake is a good source of protein and packed with light lemon flavor. Finished with a drizzle of icing and specially crafted for lemon lovers, it can brighten up even the rainiest days of spring.
Nothing says spring like carrot cake! This classic Easter dessert can now be a part of your weight loss plan. Our perfectly portioned and portable Carrot Cake Cupcake features a sweetly spiced carrot cake, real carrots and our sweet cream cheese glaze for 130 calories. Enjoy bakery-fresh flavor from this smart-sized snack that has three grams of fiber and five grams of protein.
Stock up on seasonal favorites and add these delicious meals and snacks to your spring weight loss menu!
Filling Flexes
When choosing flex meals for spring, you want food that’s full of flavor but doesn’t weigh you down. Air Fryer Shrimp Cakes treat you to the lean protein of seafood with a crispy, seasoned coating. They save you calories and are simple to make, thanks to the wonders of the air fryer.
Spring Sausage and Herb Pasta is a seasonal supper that’s smart and satisfying! It features hearty sausage, green peas, fresh herbs and a bright lemony sauce.
Our Simple Spring Green Pasta Salad recipe is a great option for picnics and parties when the weather gets warmer. It has asparagus, peas and watercress with a bright lemony flavor.
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps bring together fresh seasonal produce, tender chunks of chicken breast and a flavorful peanut sauce, bundled up in easy-to-eat wraps.
For a taste of sunshine, try our Lightened-up Lemon Bars. They are sure to brighten up any day this spring. Skinny Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble is perfect for picnic season.
For more spring-inspired dessert recipes and meal ideas, check out the links below!:
