Once the sweaters are put away and replaced by shorts and tank tops, we start to think about how to get (and keep) that summer body we dream of. We show more skin in one day than we did for the entirety of the winter. We want to feel confident and comfortable as we enter the long months of swimsuits, short sleeves, and shorts.
July 2021. This article is independently written by Fusion 360. All opinions given are the opinion of Fusion 360
As we spend increasingly long hours in the sun, there are a few factors to consider. While winter's hazards involve frostbite and vitamin D deficiency, summers include heat exhaustion and heatstroke. In addition, the heat can exacerbate existing conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Get Moving
A consistent exercise routine is the best way to get and keep that summer body you've been craving. Unfortunately, the heat, humidity, and long hours of sunlight make it difficult to motivate. Not to mention that exercising in the summer is a risky business since overexerting ourselves in the heat can lead to heat exhaustion and dehydration. However, exercise is a crucial part of maintaining your health, no matter the season.
Introduce Low-Impact Exercise
If you don't want to spend all your time exercising indoors, take advantage of the warm months by exercising outside. And remember, a lot of summer activities are actually a great form of low-impact exercise.
Any exercise that does not overly strain your body but still burns calories is considered low-impact. These include yoga, walking, swimming, hiking, and rollerblading, to name a few
The benefits of low-impact exercise include improved strength, healthy blood pressure, and less stress. Losing weight with low impact exercise takes longer, but the risk of injury and overheating is minimal. If the activity gets you outside and moving, it will help you stay healthy this summer.
Drink LOTS of Water
Whether you are looking to lose weight or maintain your current body, water can help. Water suppresses your appetite, ensuring that you do not overeat. It also boosts your metabolism and allows your body to burn calories more efficiently.
Water can also improve performance during exercise and decrease recovery time. Drinking the recommended eight 8 oz glasses per day is an easy way to improve your overall health.
Eat Your Colors
For example, blue, red, and purple foods like grapes, red cabbage, beets, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries contain a powerful antioxidant called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins have health benefits across the body, including supporting a healthy immune system and improving visual and neurological health.
By ensuring that your plate contains every color of the rainbow, you are also inadvertently adding plenty of healthy antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to your meal.