Summer time can be a challenge when it comes to fitting in time for fitness. From play dates to family trips to parties & BBQs- it’s tempting to find excuses for a hiatus from your health- especially when it comes to fitness and food. So today I’m sharing a few of the things I do to keep my health a priority!
1) Make exercise a priority.
My workouts are a time just for me to reconnect with who I am. It’s my stress relief, my time to recharge and it truly centers me each day, so I try to get in some sort of workout every day. I don’t view exercise as a punishment. It’s a gift that keeps giving not just to me but those around me! With a toddler in tow, it can be hard to fit in fitness, but I get creative. For example, I don’t need a gym. Squats, lunges, push-ups, planks, and various core exercises only need your body weight. Not to mention burpees, mountain climbers and squat lunges to get your heart rate up. I’ve been enjoying the 30 day challenges (you’ll see them all over Pinterest) where you focus on things like building up on reps of push-ups, squats, planks, etc. as you go through the month. They only take a few minutes and really build your strength!
And along those lines- split it up! Some days, it’s hard to squeeze in a whole workout, even if it’s a 30 minute DVD. So split up your workout to a few 10 minute rounds throughout the day. I also love running, but Bryce tends to get up quite early in the mornings (too early for me to even wake up and run before he’s awake). So incorporate your child! Bring them along in the stroller. We love checking out the trails, scenery and animals along the way. And you can even involve them in your exercises. Bryce is definitely picking up on the idea of exercise already and loves when I lift him up for a weighted press, or do weighted crunches with him or even planks or squats to kiss him each time.
2) Fuel your body.
For me, this is one I am always trying to improve upon. My sweet tooth has been horrible these days, and I’m really trying to incorporate more fruit and veggies into my diet. (All I can say is I’m glad my parents have a massive garden…they always have tons of great stuff to share, along with some great farmer’s markets in our community too.) Along those lines, I find it easier to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day versus 3 large meals-especially in the summer. It doesn’t weigh me down as much when I eat smaller portions, which makes all the difference. And summertime is grilling time around our house, so it’s always nice to throw on some veggies or make some kabobs, although I’m always on the lookout for healthy (relatively easy) summer recipes so please share if you have any!
Another big one? Hydration! I could drink my weight in coffee these days, but water is where it’s at. It keeps my hydrated, full and really does wonders on my skin. Who would have thought something as simple as that could be so helpful? I love ice cold water…and adding fruit or herbs helps change it up a bit from time to time. I try to keep a water bottle at my desk or right within reach, when I’m driving in the car, etc. so I can always reach for it. (I’ve heard it’s best to drink half your body weight in ounces each day, so it helps to have it right at your finger tips.)
And a really easy one? Take your vitamins! It’s a no brainer, and it helps to ensure you are getting all the vital nutrients you need. I recently discovered New Chapter Vitamins, which are organic and re-uniquely formulated to support the health needs of each life stage. They ferment the individual vitamins and minerals with beneficial probiotics and whole foods to transform multivitamins into whole-food fermented nutrients, which makes them gentle enough to take anytime- even on an empty stomach. Game changer! (And bonus: they are available on Amazon, my favorite place to shop online these days.)
New Chapter Vitamins even makes specially formulated prenatal and postnatal vitamins, which definitely caught my eye. The Perfect Prenatal includes a carefully selected prenatal blend of organic herbs and fruits, which are safety reviewed for pregnancy and supports mom and baby before and during pregnancy, with 100% of the daily value of iron that women need during pregnancy.
The Perfect Postnatal vitamins incorporate targeted nutrients that help nourish and provide energy, mood and lactation support for new moms, including iron, vitamin B6, vitamin D3 and iodine. I had never heard of a postnatal vitamin before and wish I had, especially since your nutritional needs change after pregnancy & birth. Awesome! I make it part of my morning routine to take my vitamins first thing with my coffee. And speaking of habits…
3) Create a routine!
Summer time is a tough time to fall off your routine (especially when your kiddos are school-aged and are on summer vacation.) I try to stick to our schedule and obey that precious nap time during the early afternoons, bedtime, and meal times, all within reason of course– there are definitely those exceptions…YOLO :-)
Personally, I try to tackle go through emails and drink a cup of coffee quietly first thing in the morning before Bryce wakes up, and cut/prep Bryce’s meals for the day. At the end of the day, I always like to tidy up the house & pick up toys, and clean up the kitchen so I feel like I’m set with a blank slate for the next day. I also do meal planning on the weekend and plan a menu for the week. It helps SO much to know what we will be eating– I find we make better food choices, spend less money eating out and enjoy cooking together and family time around the dinner table.
We also love to take advantage of the beautiful weather with as much family time as possible outdoors. After dinner, we try to head out when the sun isn’t as hot, which is perfect. We’ll go on a family walk, hit up the park in our neighborhood, play with bubbles, even an outdoor concert that our park district puts on- you name it. The fresh air is rejuvenating for everyone, especially before Bryce heads to bed. Can’t beat those summer nights. The BEST.
What tips do you have for staying healthy over the summer? Any good summer recipes to share? Fun family summer activities? I’m all ears!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
The post For the Mamas: 3 Tips for a Fit & Healthy Summer appeared first on The Style Files.
