Summer Weight Loss: Summer Fitness Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid
Summer Weight Loss: Summer Fitness Tips & Pitfalls to Avoid
May 05, 2016 at 4:11 PM
We all know that true weight loss is a year-round, lifetime effort that’s more about making positive lifestyle changes than anything else. But when it comes right down to it, slimming down and summertime can often go together like peanut butter and celery.
Summertime is when many of us want to start wearing lighter, more revealing clothing (and yes, bathing suits), both for comfort and fashion alike. This can make it a time when our motivation for weight loss is particularly strong.
While warm weather might not necessarily make losing weight any easier, it does provide plenty of opportunity to make healthful choices in a fun, easy way. Unfortunately, it offers its share of temptations as well. Let’s take a closer look at both.
Positive Tips for Summer Weight Loss
Take advantage of the outdoors.
Summer is the time when it’s easiest to get outside and get moving (especially here in Connecticut). Take advantage of the opportunity to do your favorite outdoor activities: biking, hiking, playing sports, even just taking a walk on your lunch break instead of sitting in the breakroom with a magazine. After all, it’s summer! What’s stopping you?
Take the plunge!
Swimming in particular is a great summertime workout for weight loss. Vigorous swimming burns about as many calories as a brisk run, and also boats full-body resistance, a low overall impact, and more.
Whether you prefer the swimming pool, beaches, lakes, or elsewhere, swimming is a great way to cool down and get a great workout to boot.
Sample some seasonal produce.
Too many Americans get too many of their calories from unhealthful processed food. Luckily, summer is when healthful fruits and vegetables are at their finest, so what better time is there to make sure you’re getting enough delicious, low-calorie produce in your diet?
In-season summer berries like blueberries and blackberries in particular are some of the best fruits for weight loss, because they’re high in fiber and relatively low in sugars and carbs. Vegetables that are in season here in Connecticut include asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, chard, sweet peppers, spinach, summer squash, tomatoes, zucchini, and more. Head to your local farmers market and dig in!
Weight Loss Pitfalls to Avoid in the Summertime
Don’t succumb to central air.
Look, we know that summer’s not all sunshine fresh vegetables. Sometimes it’s brutally, oppressively hot and humid. At times like these, it can be tempting to stay inside, lying on the couch and enjoying the modern marvel that is central air conditioning.
With this comes further temptations: namely, not getting enough exercise and indulging in too many snacks.
You don’t have to go on a 10-mile hike on the hottest day of the year, but you don’t want to spend all summer glued to the TV either. Make an effort to get regular, vigorous exercise. Like we mentioned above, swimming can be a great way to do this and cool off at the same time. Most gyms are air conditioned as well, so a trip to yours could be another good way to break a sweat while you beat the heat.
Don’t overdo it on the summer cocktails.
Drinking in moderation is completely fine in the course of a weight loss regimen and a healthy lifestyle, but the key is just that – moderation. If you are going to drink, we recommend something light, like vodka with unsweetened seltzer or a white wine spritzer, instead of a sugary cocktail.Frozen margaritas, chilled sangria, mojitos, Cuba Libres, piña coladas, the list goes on: summer has its fair share of seasonal cocktails. Unfortunately, many of them have more sugar than a can of Coke, with all the added calories from alcohol to boot. Not to mention, one too many and you’ll be much more likely to say “what the heck” when it comes to your next meal (or two).
Go easy on yourself.
Ultimately, summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors with your friends and family just like eating right and exercising are more about being healthy than losing weight. Don’t be too hard on yourself or obsess over the scale. If you slip up in your weight loss efforts, don’t get discouraged and give up completely. Instead, learn from the mistake and move forward so much the better for it.
If you think you might need professional help with your weight loss efforts, the team at Medical Weight Loss Solutions in Wallingford, Connecticut can help. Get in touch by calling (203) 269-8000 or email info@medweightlosssolutions.com to learn more.