Point to Ponder:
Do the free-flowing, unstructured and over-indulgent summer months derailing your healthy habits?
One of the things I love most about summer is the indulgent break from routine, which includes staying up and sleeping in a later than normal, enjoying cocktails, soaking up extra sun, eating more of what I typically wouldn’t and kicking normal structure to the curb. That being said, when all routine falls by the way side, my body, mind and bowels (TMI but true!), go a little bonkers. Therefore, below are 6 recommendations that will allow you to remain healthy while also enjoying the indulgent, spontaneous and magical summer!
1. Say YES! When given the opportunity to do something fun, say yes! Whether that something is with your husband, children, extended family, friends or just something special for you, when given the opportunity, say yes!
2. Keep iGniting and Use our Instagram Account for Vacation-Friendly Workouts- As Kathleen recently reminded us, when we allow our summer schedule to negatively impact our consistent exercise routine, these things occur:
Loss in Strength and Cardiovascular Endurance: Sadly, it can only take as little as 72 hours without exercise for muscular and cardiovascular to atrophy to occur.
Decrease in Metabolic Rate: Working out consistently and having lean muscles keep your metabolism on fire, but without it, your metabolism slows and can cause weight gain.
Energy is Negatively Affected- Rest and taking intermittent breaks is healthy and good, but too much will negatively affect your energy level,also making it difficult to start up again.
3. Drink 1/2 Your Body Weight in Ounces of Water Each Day- I realize this isn’t new information and it’s not the first time we've drawn attention to hydration, but at least drinking one half your body weight in oz. of water each days it’s one of those healthy habits that is easy to make happen and has a significant impact on our body and mind. A well hydrated body has an increased metabolism, better digestion, less toxins (b/c water flushes and cleanses toxins and lactic acid from the body), more energy, less brain fog, less muscle and joint soreness and a lower body temperature. Proper hydration equals better everything! Click HERE for our favorite Cranberry Water Recipe (a super tasty and healthy way to stay hydrated).
4. Drink 8 oz of Hot Lemon Water Each Day (preferably upon rising)- Lemon are a great digestive aid and liver cleanser. They are packed with vitamins and minerals (which have immune-boosting powers) and are antibacterial and antiviral. Hot lemon water benefits bile formation, which is essential for optimal fat metabolism and helps regenerate the livers. t also promotes the movement in the bowels that keeps waste moving along the digestive tract and out of the body for elimination. (You can drink before bedtime too).
5. Daily Probiotic- Taking a probiotic each day is essential because the large and small intestine normally harbor millions of ‘good and bad’ bacteria. When adding good bacteria (in the form of a probiotic) it helps fight invading organisms detrimental to the body. These ‘good’ bacteria also aid the digestive process and protect the lining of the intestines. They also produce some essential substances such as certain vitamins. Many digestive and other conditions are caused when the ratio of bad to good bacteria gets too high. Probiotics, contain 400 different strains of good bacteria, are prescribed to counteract this imbalance.
6. A Cold Shower (or time in any cold/cool body of water). Cold water boost your immune system. Recent findings from research show that a cold shower releases glutathione (an amino acid that boosts the immune system, rids the body of toxins and fights stress). A cold shower improves skin by reducing skin inflammation and keeps your hair from becoming brittle. A cold shower also speeds up muscle recovery by reducing inflammation. Finally, a cold water improves the mood. Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth found cold showers could ward off depression, as a cold shower is expected to send an overwhelming amount of electrical impulses from peripheral nerve endings to the brain, which could result in an anti-depressive effect.
Action Item:
Commit to one or more of the healthy habits listed above so that while you indulge you can experience optional health, energy and feel your best!
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