Many of us think in terms of getting in shape for summer because we want to look our best in that bathing suit. That being said, you want to be as ready to hit the beach in August or early September as you are in May. If you’ve already gone through the effort to get in shape for the season, staying in shape is definitely worth the added effort. The following tips may help you stay in shape and maybe get a few more pounds off if that’s your goal.
Don’t Do It Alone
Having someone to work out with makes the experience of exercising so much more enjoyable. This is especially important for something like exercise, which does require effort and, therefore, discipline to stick with it. You should coordinate with a friend at work for a place to go to work out either before or after work at least three days a week. If you don’t have this option, there are a ton of fitness apps on the market. Many of them either enable you to connect remotely with groups of like-minded individuals or will have a virtual assistant prodding you on to achieve a better running time or more weight lifted.
Mix up Your Workouts
Working out is already hard enough to stick to given that it can require significant effort to get going, especially when you’re tired or have your attention on other things. The last thing you also want it to be is boring. If you normally take a run every day along a given path, try a different path some days. You might try alternating running with biking. Try adding a different piece of home exercise equipment for some variety or using weights in different exercises that work the same muscle groups.
Plan an Active Vacation
The summer is a big time for vacations. When you’re on vacation, sticking to some kind of exercise regimen obviously takes a back seat to having fun. That being said, you can try to plan your vacation in ways that include things to do that help you stay fit. If you are off at some exotic locale, you might try alternating days of laying on the beach with days of hiking inland trails and admiring any scenery. Checking out museums in town can also involve a lot of walking.
So far, we’ve focused on exercise, but diet is critical to your fitness. Make sure to have healthy snacks with you when you’re on vacation. Planning ahead in terms of what restaurants you go to can help in assuring you have plenty of healthy menu selections.
Have a Goal for Staying Fit
Getting fit to hit the beach is a great goal to have for getting in shape for the summer, but what about staying in shape afterward? You need goals stretching further ahead in time that will keep you hitting that treadmill or bicycle throughout the summer and into the fall. Is there a marathon or a race for some charity event coming up in the fall in your area? Sign up for it! It helps to have a goal when trying to achieve any objective.
Get Plenty of Sleep
This is important for staying mentally and physically healthy all the time and certainly no less in the summer. Without sufficient sleep, the whole rest of our day suffers. Exercise is less likely to happen since you’ll be tired, and being tired may put you in a bad mood, which means comfort foods might seem all the more alluring.
Get Sufficient Fiber
We are all told to get enough fiber in our diet. It helps our bodies in a number of ways while keeping us regular being one of the more well-known ones. A study just a few years ago also suggests that 30 grams of fiber a day can help with weight loss and reduce your blood pressure. Sounds like a win-win for staying fit and healthy.
Keep an Eye on Portion Sizes
It doesn’t always take a lot of food to handle your hunger, so try cutting those portion sizes. Calories add up over the course of a day, so you might want to try smaller dinnerware that fits less food but still gives you the satisfaction of eating a plate of food. When eating out this summer, you could try asking for a half portion.
As a bonus tip, you should drink a glass of water about half an hour before eating. This will help you feel less hungry and keeps you hydrated as well.
