Long sun-filled days, plenty of daylight and blue skies. Summer really is the best season, isn’t it? But then there’s all those tempting ice-creams, delicious cocktails, and days spent lounging around.

We want to look our best during summer, yet we also want to enjoy everything this fun, sunny season has to offer. 

Here’s the thing, I know it can be challenging to keep to your usual routine during summer, with all the distractions, disruptions, kids, work, and vacation time. Summer is so great but it’s not without its own kind of chaos!

It is the time of year when everyone wants to feel their best, yet it can also be the time of year when your fitness routine goes right out the window, right? 

Or is that just me? 

I’d love to hear about your experiences, share them with me by replying. 

Maybe you get invited to barbeques, or parties and you know you won’t be able to stick to your nutrition plan. Or perhaps, you indulge a little too much in alcohol or icecream..it is summer after all! 

So what can you do make sure you do not abandon your health and fitness priorities? 

First thing’s first. Get organized. As much as possible. 

When you are on top of your goals and your focus is maintained, you will feel empowered and ready for anything!

Here are 8 easy, actionable tips to help you stay in great shape and keep on top of your weight and health this summer. 

1. Plan your fitness time into your calendar to ensure you stick to it. Do this ahead of time by at least a week and treat it as something sacred and non-negotiable. 
2. Set mini-goals for your health and fitness summer ahead. Be realistic yet don’t be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone. You can totally do more than you think! These could be things like, yoga first thing in the morning, three times a week. Or going for a run every evening. 
3. Leave your phone behind! Go offline during your workouts so that you have zero distractions and are more efficient with your exercise routine. Treat that time as taking care of your body and mind, without the need for screens.
4. Get outside! Soak up morning and/or evening sunlight and get a load of vitamin D and fresh air. This will help your circadian rhythms which impact how well you sleep, and keep your cells happy and healthy, as well as boosting your immunity. 
5. Create a great summer playlist! Music can be the difference between feeling motivated and energized or just wanting to lay around. With some banging tunes you will be far more likely to stick to your exercise goals. 
6. Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water, but not only that. Keep your H2O topped up by upping your intake of juicy fruits such as watermelon, citrus fruits, berries, mangos, and papayas. These will fill you up with healthy carbs and keep you bursting with vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients.
    
7. Make your snacks healthy. Keep a separate drawer in the fridge for snacking on light, nutritious things such as cucumber and carrot sticks, humus, or other healthy, unprocessed dips made from whole foods. 
8. Don’t forget to relax also! Refresh and recharge as needed. Downtime for self care is just as important to your routine as exercise, remember that! 

Extra tip - Create your own motto, mantra or affirmation for the summer ahead. It could be something like, I make healthy choices every day.  Or I value my health and fitness. 

And use that to remind yourself whenever you feel yourself getting off track or sliding out of your routine. Never beat yourself up for missing a workout or indulging in something foodwise. Just get back on track as soon as you can!

You got this!