How to get healthy this summer

*This is a collaborative post.

Now that we’re six months into the year, your new year’s resolutions (such as being more healthy) may feel like nothing but a distant memory. After all, a recent study found that “only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. 

However, whether you aimed to pick up a new hobby or alter your lifestyle for the better – it’s never too late to make this kind of change.

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to meet your health goals this summer!

Shake up your diet.

Changing your diet is perhaps one of the easiest ways to improve your health, especially if you focus on giving your body the right nutrients and vitamins it needs to thrive. The more in tune you are with your body, the easier it will be to meet your goals, whether you’re hoping to lose weight or gain muscle.

If you’re opting for the former, you may want to replace a meal with a shake, as they can be a great way to ensure you are nourishing your body while still facilitating healthy weight loss. 

Stop skipping breakfast.

We’re always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day – but do you know why? This is because your first meal of the day will kickstart your metabolism and provide you with a much-needed energy boost to start off your day on the right foot. Despite this, nearly 25% of people skip breakfast altogether, often saying they are too busy to sit down and eat before work. 

As such, if you’re serious about getting healthy this summer, it’s essential that you stop skipping breakfast – your body and your energy levels will thank you for it. Furthermore, if time is a concern, there are plenty of simple recipes you can follow to make a healthy breakfast on the go. Alternatively, you could make a fruit smoothie to make sure you start your morning with some of your five-a-day! 

Walk instead of driving. 

Following a healthy diet is one of the easiest ways to take care of your body and mind – but so is exercise! However, if you’ve been out of the game for a little while or find it hard to work out in the gym, this is often easier said than done. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to introduce more exercise into your life that aren’t quite as daunting as going to a PT session – such as going for more walks.

For example, if you were planning to nip to the shop to pick up some groceries, but it’s not too far away, walking instead of driving is a great way to ensure you’re moving a little more. According to various studies, aiming for around 10,000 steps a day is a great way to ensure you stay fit and can also “reduce your risk of certain medical conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease.” 

Drink plenty of water.

Drinking plenty of water is another excellent way to boost your health this summer, especially as rising temperatures mean we’re more likely to deal with dehydration. Ideally, you should aim to drink between 6-8 cups of water a day. While this may be hard at first, especially if you’re more likely to reach for a can of soda than a bottle of water, you’ll soon notice the many benefits associated with developing this hobby. For example, not only will it leave you feeling more energized and refreshed, but it can also help you to get glowing and healthy skin. 

Meal prep.

Meal prepping can also help ensure you stick to a healthy diet, as it means you’re less likely to reach for a takeout menu after a busy day, as you’ll already have a fresh, healthy meal waiting for you when you get home – the only thing you have to do is heat it up. As such, this habit is good for both your health and your bank account!

Furthermore, spending more time in the kitchen is a great way to rediscover your passion for cooking and food as you begin to try out new recipes, cooking techniques, and cuisines.

Don’t forget to treat yourself.

There’s a difference between following a healthy diet and dieting. The latter is often not sustainable long-term, as diets encourage you to be restrictive almost 100% of the time – which actually means you’re more likely to slip up and make mistakes. Conversely, following a healthy diet is all about finding a balance, which means that you can still enjoy ‘unhealthy’ foods in moderation!

For example, you may want to set aside one day each week, which is ‘cheat day,’ during which time you can tuck into some delicious goodies. 

Try one new recipe each week.

While you may have a few ‘favorite’ recipes that you turn to time and time again, another way in which you can make healthy eating more fun and adventurous is by trying new dishes too. After all, if you eat the same meals on constant rotation, it’s easy to get bored, even if they taste great. As such, you should aim to try out at least one new recipe a week. 

This is also a great way to diversify your palette, especially if you try out a range of cuisines while doing so. For example, you could try out Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni one day before moving on to Empanadas the next! 

Final thoughts. 

The summer season is a time of change – the days are longer and brighter, and there’s always something to do. As a result, if you’re feeling inspired by this, it is time to make some changes in your own life, too – which will help you build a brighter, healthier future! 

While it may take some time to leave behind negative habits, the benefits that come with transitioning into a healthy lifestyle speak for themselves. As a result, you’ll wish you’d started sooner – whether you’re enjoying having more energy, getting more sleep, or simply feeling a little bit more positive!