Runnin' in the Sun

Living in South Florida means flip flops, tank tops and outdoor runs all year long. And turns out that's a good thing in my--or anyone's--battle against fat.

According to a study published in the journal Obesity, men who exercised in direct sunlight lost 20 percent more body fat than their indoor counterparts. Researchers believe running in the sun increased the production leptin, a protein hormone that plays a key role in regulating energy intake and energy expenditure, including appetite and metabolism.

So hit the road rather than the treadmill for your next run. Just make sure to slather on sunscreen so you get the ultimate FAT burn and not the ultimate SUN burn. And stay hydrated!