To all of my fellow students: we made it through finals and into sweet summertime!
Summer can mean a myriad of things: interning, working,
vacationing, taking classes or even just sitting back and enjoying each day
under the sun. Regardless of your summer plans (or lack there of), all of us
will be adjusting to a new schedule. Our summer-working-girl regimen does not
mean we have to completely dump our previous fitness plan; in fact, summer is
the perfect time to enhance it, seriously! Even if it seems as though you
cannot spare an hour or so a day to pump some iron, there are plenty of ways to
tweak your day-to-day activities, making them (and you) healthier.
Here are three simple ways to spike your summer days, making
them a little more fit and fabulous!
Comment below with any tips you abide by during summer. J
1. Get
fruity! Watermelon, pineapple, peaches, nectarines, oh my! One of my
favorite aspects of summer (and certainly not the only) is all of the fresh
fruit that is available and frequently bought. For some reason, it is like fruit
just tastes better in the summertime. Take advantage and fuel up on these
fruity cravings—the benefits are amazing! For starters, fruits are lower in
calories than most other foods you crave (they are approximately 80-90 percent water)
and offer a great source of vitamins into your daily diet. Adding more fruit to
your diet includes other health benefits, such as increasing fluid retention in
the body, reducing cholesterol levels, improving digestion, fighting against
disease and providing the body with antioxidants. If you like what you hear,
but do not think you can munch on plain fruit, try adding some to yogurt or
mixing it with a little granola!
2. Walk-it-out!
When it comes to working out, running is always my first choice—I love it. BUT,
I am a big fan of going on evening, summer walks. Since I have been home from
school, each night after dinner I recruit my mom and dad on going for a nice,
little neighborhood jaunt. They willingly comply. It always feels refreshing to
end a long day of non-stop working or non-stop lounging with a little cardio
pick-me-up! Walking a single mile at a decent pace (one that increases your
heart rate) burns around 100
calories… that is an easy-peasy way to make up for any extra Oreos. You do not
have to save your walk for evening, take it on your lunch break or right when
you awake in the morning—grab a friend or a co-worker to make it even more
enjoyable!
3. Water,
water, water! Beers, margs, sodas and daiquiris—all of the staple drinks of
summer. I agree, they make for a refreshing and scrumptious treat while out in
the hot sun, but boy do those bad boys chalk-up your calorie intake. Since each
drink is well over 100 calories,
your calorie intake adds up fast… especially because one is just never enough.
With that being said, you should not have to completely forgo these beverages,
no way! Instead, just have one a couple times a week. Moderation is key! In the
mean time, swap in water. Due to the hotter temps, you are more likely to become
dehydrated during summertime. Drinking water helps to maintain/replenish
your balance of body fluids and energizes your muscles, preventing fatigue.
Water also keeps your skin looking fresh, your kidneys working strong and
bowels moving normal (lol). Seemingly, water is the perfect substitute!
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