Bianca Monahan from Sprouthealth.com.au gets us going for Summer lovin’!
The days are getting longer and the hemlines are getting shorter, which means summer is just around the corner!
If you’re feeling a little worse for wear post-winter, then read on, because it’s not too late to shake off that extra layer and commit to a healthy summer bod.
The great thing about living in Australia is we have such amazing produce in the warmer months. Our favourite summer fruits come into season and we feel less likely to want to indulge in warm (and often not so healthy) comfort foods. We also happen to have some of the best beaches in the world, which makes outdoor exercise and activity so much more appealing.
5 tips for a healthy summer beach body
Find a routine
Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean that every healthy habit has to fall to the wayside. Start every day with exercise before you make an excuse to skip it. Exercising first thing in the morning sets good intentions for the rest of the day and is a great way to get the endorphins pumping.
Smart exercise
A summer body doesn’t necessarily require hours and hours in the gym. Make your workouts HIT style (high intensity training) and work harder for a shorter amount of time. Quality is always better than quantity and it means you have more time for the beach!
Make healthy swaps
Load up on those gorgeous summer fruits instead of processed sugary holiday treats. A bowl mangoes, grapes and cherries is the perfect after dinner snack for those who still crave a sweet hit. Ensure you consume lots of healthy fats, proteins and vegetables and stay hydrated. A dehydrated body is a body that will crave unhealthy foods.
Eat mindfully
Take note of the foods you’re eating and how your body reacts. Too many of us eat too fast and mindlessly and miss the warning signs inflammatory foods are telling us. Do you feel bloated or lethargic every time you eat bread, for example? It might be time to find a healthy swap that doesn’t cause you irritation. Everyone is different but be mindful of what you put into your body. It’s the only one you have!
Aim for a whole year body
A healthy body shouldn’t just be for the holiday months. Use summer as an excuse to develop healthy habits you can keep for life. That way, next summer, you’ll be ready before spring has even sprung!
And remember to be kind to yourself! At the end of the day a ‘beach body’ is a body on the beach. As long as you feel good and healthy, it doesn’t matter what size that swimsuit is. The beach is one of the happiest places on earth. No time for negative thoughts and worry. Happy summer!
Bianca is a qualified personal trainer and nutritional science student specialising in general fitness, nutritional health, pre-and-postnatal exercise and general wellbeing.
For more info go to www.sprouthealth.com.au