“Summertime and the livin’ is easy,” as the old saying goes. Do you know what else is easier in the summer? Losing weight. That’s because the warm weather encourages us to be more active than in any other season. Plus, summer brings us the year’s widest selection of deliciously fresh and healthy foods. To make it even easier for you, we’ve gathered this batch of smart summer weight loss tips, inspiring ideas and valuable resources to help you lose weight this season.

Early Action

Any time you are active is a good time. But to get the most weight loss benefit, exercise outdoors in the morning. has shown that people who were more frequently exposed to light in the early morning had a lower body mass index than those whose light exposure happened later in the day. One reason for this might be that light exposure early in the day maintains your internal clock, which is linked to metabolism and appetite. That’s just one of our !

Fun in the Sun

Being active in summer is easy because there are so many fun things to do. Swimming tones up your whole body and is low impact, so your joints won’t ache when you’re done. Riding a bike also is easy on your joints and you can invite the family to join you. Trying new activities can keep you from becoming bored by the same old routine. Kayaking on a local lake requires no special athletic skills and it is a pleasant way to spend a sweltering day. Just remember to wear sunscreen, or a painful sunburn might prevent you from getting your exercise. Get more ideas from our .

Skin Protection

Summer can be hard on your skin, so you need to give it a bit of extra attention at this time of the year. One key is to drink plenty of water, especially when you’re sweating on a sultry afternoon. Well-hydrated skin stays firmer and smoother. Bonus: Drinking lots of water keeps your metabolism burning calories even when you’re at rest. See our summer skin-care guide for other ways to protect your skin this season.

Fresh Tastes

Many favorite vegetables and fruits hit their peak in summer so it’s a great opportunity to add them to your daily menus. Our list of top seasonal foods to stock up on includes zucchini, the versatile green squash. You can eat it raw with a dip like , you can grill or sauté it, or use a to turn it into tasty and super-healthy zoodles. Zucchini is a , so you can enjoy as much of it as you want on Nutrisystem. See more to up your veggie intake

Salad Season

The variety of fresh produce items available this season lets you get creative with how to enjoy them. Salads keep it light on hot days and with the right ingredients, they can also leave you feeling full when you’re done eating. We love , which features chicken breast, artichoke hearts, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and a tangy dressing.

Find more ideas on our list of Summer Salad Recipes for Weight Loss below:

Cool Drinks

Whether you’re at a summer party or just chilling on your porch, you can enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail and stay on track to your weight loss goal. Just keep in mind the guidelines from Nutrisystem’s dietitians. Or skip the extra calories that come with alcohol and enjoy instead. Our favorites include the sweet and spicy and a refreshing .

And don’t forget about smoothies! Check out these to keep you healthy this season.

Sweet as Pie

Summer is pie season because so many kinds of fruit are at their best. When you bake a pie for a party or just a treat for the family, start with one of our healthy pie recipes and you can be sure it will be as diet-friendly as it is delicious. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but the is a popular choice because it has a graham cracker crust that’s incredibly simple to make.

Get our nine other sweet summer pie recipes below:

Frozen Treats

What’s the most delicious way to cool down on a hot day? with real fresh fruit couldn’t be easier. But when you’re craving something cold and creamy without any prep work, Nutrisystem has your answer. Be sure to stock up on our and so you can grab one from your freezer whenever you need to chill out on a hot day.

Stay cool and beat the heat with these other refreshing ideas: