6 Reasons Fall is the Best Time for Weight Loss

Don’t wait for New Year’s Day. The start of fall is the ideal time to embark on a crisp, cool journey to weight loss success.

Why? The unpredictability of summer barbecue fare is over, as are the splurges of summer vacation. It’s time to focus on yourself, your food choices and your health. We put together a list of reasons to embrace the bracing chill of fall as the start of your weight loss victory.

Here are six reasons why autumn is the best time to drop pounds:

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1. Fall is all about routine.

The kids are back in school, which means getting back into a routine. Getting up for the bus, packing lunches, after-school activities and scheduled bedtimes.

This also makes fall a great time to create new routines and solidify new, healthy habits of your own. According to Jamesclear.com, one way to help cement these new routines is by doing something called “habit stacking,” where a new habit is paired with one you’re already doing. Doing so creates a cue to do a new, healthy task when you’re already doing a task that’s a habit.

If you already make the kids’ lunches each morning and you’re hoping to eat more non-starchy vegetables as part of a weight loss program, stack them! When you’re making the kids’ lunches, chop up one container of carrots, cucumbers or another veggie for yourself to eat later in the day. If you’re trying to drink more water and you already brush your teeth every morning, stack them! After you brush, drink an eight-ounce glass of water.

Weight loss success is all about finding routines that you can stick to. Fall is the ideal time to create and solidify those routines.

2. It’s not so blazingly hot!

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, July 2021 was the world’s hottest month ever recorded. So hot, in fact, that it was often unbearable to be outside exercising. Fall brings those mind-melting temperatures to a merciful end, meaning it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors.

A morning walk in the newly-crisp air could help you control your appetite for the rest of the day. In a study published by the American Physiological Society, scientists found that those who did aerobic exercise had lower levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Getting in your steps at sunrise could give you this appetite-suppressing hormone advantage all day.

If you’re not a morning person, know that taking a walk doesn’t have to be at the crack of dawn. Making a habit of getting moving on weekend hikes, bike rides or just longer walks with the dog can help you feel healthier and add to your weight loss success. It’s finally cool enough outside to do so!

Autumn is also a great season to start in the gym because it isn’t as crowded as January. This will give you the space to get the weights and machines you need for your workout. Gyms often have sales and free training sessions as the leaves start to turn.

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3. It’s the season of harvest.

Nutritious and fiber-rich favorites are in season, which can be great for your wallet and health. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), some of the delicious produce that is in-season during the fall includes:

• Fruit: Apples, cranberries and pears.
• Root Vegetables: Beets, carrots, sweet potatoes and radishes.
• Leafy greens: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale and Swiss chard.
• Squash: Pumpkin, butternut and acorn.
• Other Vegetables: Cabbage, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, peas and onions.

Get creative with your favorite autumn produce and incorporate them throughout your weight loss menu. Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, rosemary or ginger to add some fall flavor. If you need inspiration, try our recipes for Maple Cinnamon Butternut Squash, Roasted Rosemary Beets and Carrots or Pumpkin Pie Applesauce!

4. It’s soup season!

Another reason to love the cooler temperature is heating up a bowl of hot, comforting soup. Whether it’s Nutrisystem’s fan-favorite Chicken Noodle Soup, Café-Style Creamy Tomato Soup or something homemade, warm dishes like these are perfect for fall.

There are many soup recipes on The Leaf that are healthy and weight loss-friendly. Soup is a versatile meal that you can make using your favorite ingredients. Have fun and experiment with different proteins, vegetables, grains and broths. Click the link below for some ideas!

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5. Hearty desserts are on the menu.

Wait … what? Sure, fall is full of hearty favorites like apple pies and pumpkin spice everything. But how can hearty desserts help you lose weight?

When they’re Nutrisystem-approved, that’s how! Whether it’s Nutrisystem’s Carrot Cake Cupcake or one of these guilt-free versions of your fall favorites. Having dessert on Nutrisystem isn’t about depriving yourself, it’s about learning how to enjoy your favorite foods (even sweets) with the right portions and ingredients. By enjoying these dishes in autumn, you’ll have tools and smart strategies to tackle your cravings without packing on pounds when all the holidays roll around.

6. New Year’s resolutions can be WAY more fun.

Since you’ll already be on a diet plan, you’ll be ready for the high-calorie temptations during the holiday season and celebrating weight loss success. You won’t have to resolve to “lose weight” when New Year’s Day rolls around. Instead, you’ll be able to make resolutions about what you’ll do now that you’re already closer to your goals.  Create resolutions like going on a vacation or road trip, rocking a killer new dress or fitness goals like running a half-marathon. This is a great time to plan new experiences and create memories. Make your New Year’s resolutions more fun by resolving to lose weight starting now!

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