The warmer weather and longer daylight hours that accompany the arrival of spring can mean good news if you're trying to maintain or lose weight. Try these tips for becoming more physically active after a winter slump:

• Do some spring cleaning. Cleaning your house from top to bottom or taking on outdoor projects such as planting a garden or building a fence are great calorie burners.
• Make travel plans. Schedule an active summer vacation filled with rock climbing, kayaking or biking.
• Be a joiner. Check with your local community center to see if there's a hiking, walking or exercise club in your town.
• Multi-task. Are you spending lots of time warming the bench at your child's ball games? Try walking laps around the field or doing push-ups behind the bleachers between innings.
• Challenge yourself. Set a weight loss, endurance or physical goal for yourself this spring and aim to complete it by summer's end. Use a workout log to keep yourself on track.

Warm days and nights mean plenty of opportunities to play outdoors, but don't forget to be safe if you're running, walking or biking at night. Wear light-colored reflective clothing, carry a flashlight and exercise with a buddy, if possible.

Related information: Fitness Center | Weight loss strategies

Sources:  American Academy of Family Physicians, www.familydoctor.org, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/ National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/phys_act.htm.