It’s official: summer is finally here, and with it comes that age-old mix of excitement and apprehension as you prepare to shed those winter layers. With warm weather, longer days and perhaps a holiday or two to look forward to, here are our top five tips to help you look and feel good this summer.
Get moving in the morning
Make the most of lighter mornings and longer evenings by squeezing in an al fresco workout. Dragging yourself out of bed to exercise is admittedly hard in the cold, dark months of winter, but the morning light makes for a natural alarm clock and being outdoors will boost your mood and energy levels.
HIIT workouts take little time, but yield big results and require nothing more than your body weight and a little motivation. Head to your local park for five rounds of this workout, taking a minute’s break in between each set to recover and soak up the surroundings:
- 10 box jumps
- 10 push-ups
- 10 squats
- 10 sit-ups
- 10 burpees
Eat light
Whilst warm, hearty meals are just what we need in Winter, the summer months call for lighter, lower calorie dishes. Bircher muesli is the perfect satiating summer breakfast.
Mix ½ cup of rolled oats with a teaspoon of chia seeds, a sprinkling of sunflower seeds and nuts of your choice, plus a handful of fruit – berries, peaches and apricots are great for Summer. Then simply soak in a milk of your choice or apple juice, leave overnight in the fridge and enjoy the next morning.
Try this killer core pose
If the onset of summer is sending you into a panic, try this tried and tested, tummy-toning pose. Holding a high plank, raise your right arm in line with your shoulder, whilst raising your left leg to hip height. Try to keep your hips level whilst holding for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Practice daily for fast results - and try whilst wearing your Slendertone for an even more intense and effective variation.
Drink in the vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and regulating mood - and our body creates most of it from direct sunlight, which sadly is lacking in the Winter months. So over the summer, absorb some vitamin D with at least 10-15 minutes outside every day, exposing an area of your body that isn’t covered in sun cream or likely to burn – such as the forearms or lower legs.
Get the camera ready
Be it a friend’s wedding or a week in the sun, summer brings big events, which you’ll naturally want to capture. A good posture goes a long way in a photograph or selfie and is your secret weapon to looking and feeling fantastic in your swimwear or a new outfit. Simply roll your shoulders back and down and pull your elbows back towards your buttocks. Putting your hands on your hips will also accentuate your waist, making you look slimmer. Now say cheese!
