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Get a fitness tracker
You don’t have to break the bank when buying a fitness tracker like the Fitbit or Apple Watch, I recently bought myself a $25 fitness tracker that works perfectly and gets the job done. Having a fitness tracker becomes a HUGE motivator and reminds you to get up and get moving. You don’t have to go to the gym to be active. Having an active day is so important and has so many health benefits, not only physically but mentally as well.
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Soak up that Vitamin D
Getting fresh air and sunshine everyday can really be a game changer. I love taking walks throughout the day, sometimes even twice a day! My boyfriend and I have started taking nightly walks after dinner; it is great for digestion, it feels great to breathe the fresh air, and is a nice time to talk and catch up after a long day. Even if you just eat your breakfast outside or walk the dog around the block, it will make a difference in how you feel. If you can soak up some sun while getting a workout you kill two birds with one stone!
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Hydrate
The hot weather can easily dehydrate your body. Getting a reusable water bottle is an awesome way to ensure that you are drinking constantly throughout the day. Drinking 60 or more ounces a day is best!
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Use Sunscreen
While getting some vitamin D from the sun is great for you and your body, it is imperative that you protect your skin at the same time. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, however, it is also quite preventable. Try finding natural sunscreens, as the chemicals in most sunscreens can be just as harmful as the UV rays. They might be more expensive, but it is an investment in your health. I am currently IN LOVE with the Pacifica Mineral Coconut-Probiotic Sunscreen. First of all, it smells like a vanilla coconut sugar cookie and doesn’t leave you smelling like the pool all day. Second, its vegan, cruelty-free, and free of toxic chemicals.
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Eat your fruits and veggies
Although it’s important to eat your fruits and veggies year round, raw fruits and vegetables in the summer are so delicious. Check out your local farmers market and see what you can find! I love enjoying a juicy ripe mango or watermelon on a hot day! Fruits and veggies contains vital nutrients that you can’t receive from other food sources so make sure you’re loading your body up!
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Cool Down with a Smoothie
Making smoothies for breakfast or for a snack during the day is a perfect way to get that helping of fruits and veggies. Smoothies are not only refreshing but extremely hydrating as well. One of my favorite smoothie recipes is:
1 banana
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1 cup frozen pineapple
1 tsp hemp seeds
1 tsp chia seeds
1.5-2 cups almond milk or coconut water
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Plan your meals
If you’re busy with work or school, planning your meals in advance will come in very handy and will help you to stay on track. Packing a lunch the night before or the morning before work ensures that you have a healthy, delicious meal. I know if you don’t pack a lunch its easy to run to the fast food place next door to grab a bite to eat. Although this may be convenient, fueling your body with junk throughout the day will only have negative consequences. If you have a busy schedule and find yourself microwaving frozen meals, try to find some time to meal prep during the week. For example, I like to make a large batch of brown rice or quinoa at the beginning week so that come meal time, I can just heat it up. Add some chickpeas and veggies on top of your quinoa and you have yourself a 5-minute meal.
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Start Gardening
Planting your own veggies, fruits, and herbs is not only cheaper than buying from the grocery store but is also so rewarding! Being able to go in your backyard to grab some home grown basil is much more exciting than running to the store. Herbs are the easiest to grow and most grow in abundance! Herbs have many medicinal and healing properties and are a great addition to any dish. Some ideas include adding mint to some lemon water, making pesto for pasta with basil, and using rosemary to season roasted potatoes.
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Find a Workout Buddy
Working out with a friend can be a lot of fun, but more importantly it can help to keep you on track. If you wake up and don’t feel like going to the gym, it is easier to back out when no one else is counting on you to be there. Find someone who can help keep you reliable whether it’s your mom, dad, sibling, friend, or partner. A little healthy competition never hurt anyone, so find a friend and get moving!
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Try Something New
New experiences are what make life exciting. Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something you wouldn’t typically try may surprise you. Last weekend, my boyfriend and I went to a hot yoga class. Although I had tried hot yoga before, Ari hadn’t. I admire him for being willing to take the class and not caring about receiving judgment from others. I was proud of him for reaching beyond his comfort zone and putting himself out there. Embrace new people, new experiences, create new memories and be present in the moment.
