By Zoltan Nagy
Photography by Romona Robbins
During the summer, when we want to look our best, it can sometimes seem the hardest thing to do. Beautiful weather and sunny days pull people out of the gym, and they are not always replacing indoor workouts with outdoor activities.
The nicer weather makes it easier to stay out late, putting us in some kind of “vacation mode.” As tempting as a vacation sounds, it has its setbacks, like fewer hours of sleep, which offsets our biological clocks, and increased alcohol consumption and bad eating habits, which make it easier for us to get dehydrated, malnourished, and unfit.
There is nothing more rewarding than looking and feeling your best in a fit summer body. Fortunately, the season brings many advantages as well. All you need to do is follow some simple rules to stay fit and look your best. Capitalize on the season and embrace all it has to offer.
1. If you skip the gym, replace it with at least one hour of outdoor activity.
Don’t abandon your gym altogether. Keep at least two days of gym workouts on your schedule while incorporating some outdoor activities. Whether you’re a runner or a game player, get out and get it. Maximize the results of your workout by doing them in the sand. Running on the beach at sunset, playing a few games of beach volley, or swimming a few laps will keep you perfectly fit, all while you work on that golden tan. Don’t forget that your body and mind crave a routine to perform at their best, so keep that gym membership!
Don’t forget that your body and mind crave a routine to perform at their best, so keep that gym membership!
2. What better time to work on that tan?
We all look better with a little tan, especially after a gray and rainy winter. We long for that sun-kissed skin that looks so sexy. But besides looking good, did you know you’ll also feel better? Sun exposure not only stimulates the production of vitamin D, making our bones stronger, but it also supports healthy brain function and helps with mild depression by stabilizing our hormones and improving our mood. The higher temps also contribute to sweating out toxins—good for losing weight and excess fat. As always, I recommend using a good sunscreen with an SPF of at least thirty while you’re out having fun in the sun.
3. Stay extrahydrated and don’t forget electrolytes.
On an average day, your body produces around one hundred watts of power. An electrolyte imbalance can cause bad heart and muscle function, fatigue, and other, more severe illnesses. This charge needs to be replenished by the proper intake of fluids that rehydrate your body and replenish the electrolytes that your body needs to function properly.
Drinking plenty of artesian or spring water without BPA (at least two liters per day) and incorporating electrolyte beverages in your diet can help restabilize the minerals in the body that are lost due to excessive sweating during the hot summer months.
4. Eat in-season foods.
Not only is it easier on the wallet to buy in-season foods, but consuming summer fruits and vegetables is also the best way to keep your body healthy and properly nourished. I highly recommend local and organic produce when possible. Following the Fit for Life philosophy of nutrition is the ultimate way to embrace all of nature’s fruits, perfectly combining them to maximize their values. With all its abundant produce, summer is the top season to start this nutritional plan. Some of the best things to consume are watermelons and apricots. Both of these fruits are rich in fiber and filled with calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, iron, and vitamins that keep the body nourished and hydrated and help with electrolyte balance. They also contain antioxidants that are vital for maintaining glowing and youthful skin. It is best to eat melon (any kind) as a separate meal—alone and not combined with any other fruit or food.
Following the Fit for Life philosophy of nutrition is the ultimate way to embrace all of nature’s fruits, perfectly combining them to maximize their values.
5. Take a cold one …
You should take a cold shower every day, especially in the summer, as cold showers stimulate blood circulation. When outdoor temperatures rise, our blood pressure decreases. Cold water helps increase blood flow and improves cardiovascular well-being. It has reawakening advantages and is known for bettering moods and alleviating feelings of depression. It will also improve your athletic performance and shorten recovery time after a strenuous workout, giving you the mental strength needed to carry on. It is also known for improving hair and skin. With its toning effect, cold water will leave skin firmer, thus younger looking.
Feel your best and look the hottest during the season you fear the most!
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