Staying Active and Healthy During the Summer Months

Creative Ways to Stay Active and Healthy Throughout the Summer Months

Are you tired of the same old boring workout routines? Do you lack motivation to work on improving your fitness? Perhaps what you need is a little adventure in your life! After all, it’s summertime! There’s no better time than now to discover creative ways to stay active and healthy.

Step outside your little box and explore the endless and fun ways to get exercise, burn some calories, and become a happier, healthier person. Don’t be afraid to try new activities. Make the most of these summer months! They’ll be over all too soon.


Staying Active and Healthy While on Vacation
You’ve been waiting all year to take that vacation, and you certainly deserve it. You look forward to basking in the sun, catching up on a little reading, and eating at fine restaurants. You also long for some outdoor adventures.

Of course, there are always the old activity standbys: swimming, bicycling, strolling along the beach. There may even be a fitness room available where you are staying, should you decide to fall back into your usual workout routines. What about those outdoor adventures, though?

If you have a daring nature, there are a number of activities you might want to try. Canoeing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and water skiing are a few exciting water sports that require physical effort and can provide hours of calorie-burning fun.

If you prefer getting your adventure on dry land, you might visit an area where you can go rock climbing or spelunking through caves. Hiking a beautiful mountain trail can be challenging and fulfilling, too.

Another way to stay active while on vacation is to explore tourist attractions on foot or bicycle. Such attractions may include wildlife zoos, historical sites, botanical gardens, national or state parks, and other scenic places.

Horseback riding can be a lot of fun, and it burns calories, as well! Whether you’re an experienced rider or a novice, this could be a great way to see the countryside and get some exercise at the same time.

Vacations often mean eating out a lot. That’s no reason to completely blow your diet, however! If you don’t want to put on extra weight during your vacation, choose from the healthiest foods on the menu. Grilled fish and lean cuts of meat are preferable over heavy pasta dishes, for instance. Avoid eating excessive amounts of fried foods, rich sauces, and decadent desserts. (It’s okay to indulge a little. Just don’t overdo it!) Try to also include plenty of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies in your daily diet. Restaurants typically serve huge portions. You do not have to clean your plate! Eat slowly and listen to your stomach. When it tells you it is full, stop eating.


Staying Healthy and Active at Home During the Summer Months
Vacations typically don’t last long, and not everyone is afforded the luxury of taking a vacation. Most of the summer months are spent at home and/or at work. Staying motivated to be active through the long, hot days can sometimes be difficult.

Make the most of your summer! Don’t just plop down on your couch to watch soap operas when you are at home. Get up and move! If those routine workouts become tedious, seek new activities that can be done locally.

Remember how much fun you had outside as a child? Find that old pair of roller skates and take to the sidewalks in your neighborhood. (Don’t forget to wear the protective gear in case of a fall.) Dig out the baseball, bat, and gloves and play a game of baseball with your kids. Jump on the trampoline that has been sitting idle in your yard for ages. Games such as croquet, badminton, or Frisbee can be entertaining, fun ways to get outdoor exercise. Your choices are as big as your imagination.

If you really are not into outdoor activities, perhaps you might enjoy taking dance lessons as an alternative to your regular exercise program. Dancing is a great way to burn calories, tone the body, and enhance your social life. Activities such as kick boxing and indoor table tennis can keep you in shape, too.

Backyard cookouts are popular during the summer and provide perfect opportunities to spend quality time with friends and family. Instead of grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, however, try grilling healthier foods. Fresh vegetables cooked on a grill are quite tasty. Fish and lean cuts of beef, pork, and chicken are all good, healthy choices for those cookouts. Add fresh fruit and homemade ice cream, and everyone’s appetite is sure to be satisfied!

Have a Safe, Healthy, Active Summer!
Because it does get hot outside during the summer months, it is important to drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated. Heat stroke can be dangerous. If you should feel overly fatigued, dizzy, or strange in any way, ease up on the activities and take a huge gulp of water. It is best to let your body become gradually acclimated to the hot weather by going outside for brief periods initially, then build up to longer periods spent outdoors. Within a few days, your body should become accustomed to the heat. As long as you stay hydrated and pay attention to your body, you most likely will be fine engaging in outdoor fun. Don’t forget the sunscreen to protect you from sunburn!