Motivational music:
Summer is here and so too are vacations, cookouts, weddings, pool parties, music festival and road trips. The warm weather brings fun in the sun and lots of outdoor activities with friends and family. However, the last thing most of us want to think about is counting calories.
So, how do we resist the urge to eat and drink too much at all the seasonal social gatherings? A good dose of will power and preparation is all it takes to maximize enjoyment while managing weight and boosting fitness.
One of the most important things to remember in the hotter months is to drink plenty of water. Drinking at least half of your body weight in ounces of water each day will not only keep you hydrated, but it will help curb snacking.
It is also important to stay active. As you make your travel plans, make exercise plans as well and be sure to pack what you will need to work out. Exercise plans don’t have to detract from travel fun. Incorporate short intense workouts in your room (e.g. home high intensity interval training workouts available on the internet) or grab your swimming trunks or a swimsuit and head to the pool or beach for a rigorous swim.
Summer foods are delicious and too good to pass up. So, go ahead and throw some grilled chicken, steak skewers and a rib bone or two on your plate first. Protein satisfies hunger, speeding up your metabolism and leaving you less vulnerable to decadent carbohydrates like pasta and potato salads, chips and desserts. Indulge in seasonal fruits and vegetables, such as berries, melons, tomatoes and peppers.
Remember to be social! Get out on the dance floor, play sports, mingle and strike up conversations with friends and family. Doing this will not only keep you moving, but will help you focus more on having a good time than eating.
- Advertisement -These are a few tips to help with you enjoy summer and stay healthy and fit. For more health and fitness tips and information or to join my wellness campaign "Health is Wealth" and like my fan page on Facebook.
Cheers to summer & cheers to life!
Dr. Ivan Hernandez aka Dr.Ivan, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, FMS
Twitter: @DrIvanPT | Instagram: @Dr.IvanPT | Facebook: Dr.IvanPT
