4 Tips for Staying on Top of Your Fitness in the Summer Months.
Ahhh, the summer months…
In my house, summer means lots of sunshine-filled days, later-than-usual movie nights with the kids, and a little more downtime than usual. I love the slowdown of our schedules and taking things at a more relaxed pace for the summer.
Not only do our schedules shift into a more relaxed mode, but we also try to travel a bit while the kids are out of school. While I appreciate these slower months, it also means it’s easier to fall out of routines, especially when we travel.
Do you have a summer excuse?
“I’m traveling a lot.”
“The kids are home from school.”
“I’m out of my normal routine.”
Well, if you have excuses, I have some answers!
The easiest way to get back into a workout regimen is to not get out of it! Here are some tips I’ve put together to help stay focused on your health and fitness during the sometimes-lackadaisical months of the summer.
1. Eat the Frog
Have you ever heard of this saying by Mark Twain?
“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.”
Mark Twain
Essentially, this means get your most important task over with first thing in the morning. If you don’t, the task will be on your mind all day (probably mentally draining you), and by the time you get around to accomplishing that task, it’ll feel all the more dreadful.
Eating the frog (working out) first thing will leave you feeling accomplished and productive, which can reflect in everything you do for the rest of the day. Set the tone for your day by eating the frog first.
2. Maximize What You Already Do
What do you do in your regular life that’s active? Think of your everyday activities and things you already spend your time doing. Is there anything you do that you could increase your intensity while you do it?
These options are endless, but they can be REALLY effective.
Here’s an example. Walking is great. Getting outside, moving all your joints and working all of those muscles is an accomplishment. But what if for 60 seconds you took it into a light jog a few times while you were out on your walk?
The benefits of this are huge. Not only will your calorie burn be higher, but all of your systems – cardiovascular, respiratory and muscular are going to kick into an accelerated gear.
The more you do something your body isn’t used to, the easier it becomes. So, if that 60 seconds of a light jog feels treacherous, know that the more you do it, the easier it will be.
3. Buy A Handled Resistance Tube
If you’re traveling and short on space, a handled resistance tube is an easy alternative to weights and can be used for a variety of different exercises. They’re relatively inexpensive, easy to pack in your suitcase, and can be used for all muscle groups.
If you’ve never used a handled resistance tube for a workout, don’t let it fool you. Even well-conditioned clients of mine are always surprised when they use a resistance tube or band for the first time.
Here are some of the key benefits of working out with a resistance tube:
- They can be done anywhere, making them a very effective mobile workout2.
- They provide continuous tension throughout the full range of motion, which is one of the main advantages of resistance band exercises2.
- They strengthen and elongate the muscle fibers, increase flexibility, and stimulate the muscles in a manner that is impossible to do with the use of free weights alone3.
- They provide similar and sometimes even greater muscle activity as weight training, with less chance of injury4.
- They improve acceleration, stability, core activation, strength, and athletic performance4.
- They offer more exercise options, are inexpensive, and ideal for rehabilitation4.
- They can be used for stretching and mobility4.
The price range for one of these is usually anywhere from $8-$20 for a single tube. You can check out pricing and products here from Amazon:
Handled Resistance TubesIf you’re going to purchase one, make sure you check the level of resistance. The level of resistance is usually categorized by extra light, light, medium (good, standard option for most), heavy, and extra heavy.
I’ve purchased several tubes from different manufacturers over the past few years and this one has been the most reliable.
My preferred tube brandI recently made the mistake of “getting a deal” on a tube and it snapped within the first few workouts of being used. Invest a couple extra bucks in the better one.
Not sure how to work out with it? Most of the tubes I’ve purchased have come with a little pamphlet of exercises for the basics and there are plenty of YouTube videos to guide you along. These are also AMAZING for stretching!
*Disclosure: My website contains affiliate links of products that I recommend. Upon a sale, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. To learn more about my disclosure policy, click here.
4. Recruit A Workout Buddy
Whether it’s walking with your neighbor, getting out on the golf course, or actually making it into the gym for a class or work out, it’s always more enjoyable with a buddy.
Getting active with another person can increase motivation, make it more enjoyable, and offer accountability in your fitness regimen. Even if you’re on vacation, getting active with your spouse or child can be a great bonding experience and may provide some unique vacation memories with the people you love.
Check out your local gyms and community centers to see if they have any summer programs that you might be interested in. Have you tried Pickleball yet? It’s all the rage down here in Florida and it’s A LOT of fun!
I may be a little biased since I’m a group fitness instructor but who doesn’t love sharing an awesome workout with others?! Grab your friend, spouse or neighbor and get into a routine together.
