While most of us thrive in the longer days and warmer weather, for some, it just means more kids at home, more packing for vacations or travel, and less time for health and fitness. However, health comes in many shapes and sizes, and may include some things that can normally be overlooked. Here are some suggestions and tips to overcome the summertime blues:
1) Workout in the morning: It is cooler. It is much more likiely you will finish the whole thing before your day starts to explode. You will have more energy. For something different, consider doing an interval where you run around a park and in between rounds you complete 10 push-ups, 10 squat jumps, 10
2) Avoid excess alcohol: With summer come the margaritas and patio conversations over a glass of wine. Alcohol can disrupt sleep and metabolism. Choose decaf coffee, or sparkling water with lemon to stay hydrated while you remain in the social scene. You'll need more water in the summer to keep up with the hotter temps too, so fill your water bottle in the morning and keep it with you at all times.
3) Schedule your activities around your friends or kids: Choose to meet your friend or spend quality time with kids while hiking, biking, swimming, or going on an adventurous picnic (get take out food from your local deli for easier planning). Stay intentional about moving a much as you can throughout the day. It is shocking how much simply moving a little more throughout your activities of daily living can add up for calorie burn!
4) Put your workouts on your calendar even when you go on vacation. Leaving your workouts up to fate is not a good idea. Have a plan for every day to make a little time for you, or get the family in on the action with you. It is also a good idea to put your meals, or perhaps some food choices on a planner too. If you know you are going to go to a restaurant where you will go off your normal eating style, then plan around that with increased fiber, veggies, probiotics, or even increased digestive enzymes to help you metabolize the meal.
One of my favorite new quotes that I just came across sums it all up pretty well:
"A life of reaction is a life of slavery, intellectually and spiritually. One must fight for a life of action, not reaction." -Rita Mae Brown
Set your intentions and then commit to action.