Shifting gears this month to cover health and fitness. After all, health and fitness are always in style, no? Either way, it’s always nice to reset during summer and take a moment to reflect on how we are loving ourselves.
Working to keep health and fitness as a part of the regular routine throughout summer can be a difficult task. There are so many occasions to indulge and most of our free time is spent outdoors—whether we’re heading to a weekend BBQ, splashing around at the pool, or on vacation. The opportunities for margaritas, chips, and guacamole are endless. Still, this doesn’t mean we have to lose sight of our overall health. It’s all about balance. Take part in the summer activities and enjoy the goodies; while staying active and keeping healthy nutrition at the forefront.
I struggle with feeling like I am not taking part in a party if I don’t have all the chips or all the cake. I don’t know about you but, I can slip into that mindset with a little too much ease. So how do we enjoy these summer days and maintain an overall healthy mind and body?
The way I have found works best is to decide on a plan! You know the saying, “Fail to plan and plan to fail.” Without a plan of action, summer days (or any season) can become a free-for-all, which can lead to fueling our bodies poorly.
A plan of action might look something like this; exercise for 30min-60min, four to five days a week and plan out your meals/snacks. When you know Saturday is a big family BBQ, plan accordingly. Opt out from consuming alcohol during the week when you know come Saturday you’ll be enjoying a delicious margarita. Set the time of day you are going to exercise and prep as needed for meals.
Coming from a person who loves goodies and has always looked as food as a reward, this can be a difficult shift in mindset. One might even say this is too regimented. It’s difficult to nourish our bodies with thoughts for what we may consume in the future, but when we shift our perspective and look at it from a standpoint of, “How can I love my body best?” it doesn’t seem so strict, right? We are simply choosing to make our bodies a priority. Choose to know that food is nourishment; it is meant for fuel to keep our bodies going. Our bodies can’t take indulgence 24/7. That isn’t to say we shouldn’t indulge! By all means, it is okay to have treats. I am for sure one to jump on that train! With that said, the things that make our bodies the happiest are the foods that sometimes comes off as boring during an occasion like a BBQ.
I can go on and on about good treats but, let’s get back to planning for success…once you know the time of day you are going to exercise, set out your clothes or pack your bag the night before. Whether you are working out in your living room or at the gym, prepping your clothes/gear is a recipe for success. You’re more likely to get the job done when the items needed are waiting and ready to go!
Along with that, whether your days are spent at home or at work planning meals and snacks is the other crucial aspect for overall health. Again, a plan of action is such a helpful way to stay on track. I love to write down my meals and exercise routine each day. The satisfaction from checking things off once finished is so simple and yet brings such a sense of satisfaction.
In the end, it’s all about the effort. No one is perfect. No one should be. That’s boring. All we can do is our best to love our bodies by staying active and fueling our bodies with holistic, nutritious foods.
Thanks, so much for reading dear ones! Stop by maccarose.com to share thoughts or questions. I’d love to hear from you. You can also find more details on fitness, and if you’re in need of an accountability partner, I’m your girl!
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