Having too many summer cocktails and taking long naps in the sun, can make maintaining a healthy weight and keeping your body in good shape a real challenge.
But nothing is impossible! Trust us, you only have to change a few habits to stay fit during the summer season.
Our summer guide will give you all the tips you need to eat healthier and stay active whilst still enjoying your holidays.
Our best eating tips for a healthier summer
Fuel your body with summer fruits and vegetables
Holiday or not, fruits and summer vegetables are available on the shelves everywhere you go: peaches, apricots, peppers, cucumbers, melons, you name it, they’re there… Not only are they full of vitamins and low in calories but they are cheap and easy to prepare. Be creative and add them to all your meals.
Cool down with the cold soups
Thirst-quenching, refreshing, tasty, original and low calorie dishes, cold soups are a great alternative to salads. Easy to prepare, they can be served as a snack or as a light and tasty appetizer.
Grilled vegetables are your best allies for the summer barbecues
Just like cold soups, they are a good alternative to high fat and salty snacks and can be an excellent accompaniment for barbecues instead of chips & other refined starchy foods… Try adding spices or seasoning to your taste or make vegetables crisps with our easy and quick recipe.
Go for an easy and quick salad recipe for the lazy days
In the summer, easy to prepare dishes are ideal. We want to be able to open the fridge and quickly create a well-balanced, healthy nutritional meal.
- Mix up some raw vegetables: grated carrot, lettuce, crunchy radish, fresh cucumber, sun-soaked tomatoes or diced peppers
- Add the “protein”: prawns, diced ham, chopped chicken, crabmeat, tuna
- Mix in some “carbohydrates”: cold potato salad, lentils, kidney beans, croutons, pasta/brown rice
- Add nice "extras": low fat cheeses, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts
Keep the dressing to a minimum, try lemon juice with black pepper and balsamic vinegar instead.
If you are looking for more inspiration, try our delicious caprese salad recipe!
The slower the better
Summer is the ideal season to relax and take your time even while eating! Chew your food slowly. This will mean you’ll need less because you will allow your body to send “I’m getting full’ signals to your brain.
Make healthier decision this summer with our calorie guide
There is no better way to maintain your weight than to stay away from the many summer temptations. Learn how to differentiate between high and low calorie food to make smarter choices. Print our guide and keep it with you or stick it on your fridge.
Best summer workouts
There are many fun exercise activities you can try during the summer days to keep you active while enjoying some great time with your friends and family. Don’t forget to drink water before, during and after every workout.
Hit the pool during the hot summer days
Your kids are probably begging you to take them to the pool or to the sea on sweltering summer days, so indulge them and sneak in some exercise for yourself. Rather than lounging in the sun or floating around on an inflatable toy while the kids splash in the shallow end of the pool, swim laps for 30 minutes. This low-impact exercise is easy on the body while burning around 200 calories in just a half hour.
Go for a walk
Hike your favourite trail with a friend to de-stress and catch-up on their latest news, or to make this a family-friendly activity, choose an easy walking trail and pack a healthy picnic for your destination. Provide the kids with a scavenger hunt to keep them entertained as you traipse through the woods. Hiking is a cardio-centred exercise that improves balance, strengthens your core, and relieves stress. Be sure to pack plenty of water!
Join a gym
For those of you who will spend the summer at home, there is no better time to join a gym! Gyms are usually less busy during the summer season when everyone is off on vacations. No more excuses, at Curves we offer a 30-minute full body workout combining strength training and cardio exercises. You’ll also find a coach who can help you during your workout to make sure you’re performing exercises safely and effectively. Try it for free and book your consultation at your closest club: www.curves.eu/clubs
Squeeze in extra exercise during your holidays
On a road trip: If you’re opting for a road trip this summer don’t make all your pit stops at the gas station. Get out and stretch your legs in some places where they don’t sell salty or sugary snacks.
Stop at the park: If you’re visiting a new city, go off the beaten trail and see what the local park has to offer. A 20-minute walk will give you a different outlook on the city, and refresh your spirits .
Flying: If possible, walk from one terminal to another. If you can’t, then instead of going straight to your gate, walk from one end to the other to get your blood flowing. There’s no sense in sitting at the airport before you have to sit on a flight!
One-on-One time: If you’re traveling with the whole family, going for a walk along the streets, on the beach, or in the mountains is a great way to get one-on-one bonding time. Make a point of inviting someone different every time you want to go for a walk and then spend that time asking your companion what’s happening in his or her life. Don't forget sunscreen protection on all those walks.
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