The Summer of Slim

What are your plans for this summer? Do they include beach vacations, BBQs, weddings? What are the chances you will lose weight this summer? Are they slim? (Just joking!!!)

Your chances of losing weight during the summer are actually increased! Why? Because of the extended hours of natural light, the sunshine, the heat, and the many opportunities to get outdoors and get active. But it is up to you to take advantage of all these benefits!

The additional hours of daylight make it easy to stay outdoors later, into the evening. Yes, you could simply sit on your butt outdoors instead of inside. OR you could add physical activities to your evening plans. Why not go for a long walk after dinner? Or go for a jog? You could head over to the local pool and swim some laps. Or join your friends for an evening game of tennis, soccer, or softball. Another possibility is getting up earlier in the morning!

Getting outside does wonders for your health, both mental and physical. Light helps to reset your circadian rhythms, ups your metabolism, adjusts your hormones, gives you more energy, and helps you sleep better at night. All of these factors make weight loss easier.

Sunshine on your skin stimulates the production of Vitamin D, which is crucial for your health. Vitamin D is linked to breast health and lower rates of cancer, better mood and stress reduction, heart health, and many other vital functions.

I'm not sure about you, but the summer heat tends to make me eat less. Maybe the heat decreases my appetite. Or maybe I'm drinking so much water and iced tea, I have less room in my belly for food! In addition, I tend to eat a lot of salads in the hot weather. I hate to turn the oven on to cook anything, so raw foods, cold salads, and smoothies prevail.

Immersing your body in cold water is another potential weight loss tool. Getting into cold water stimulates the production of "brown" fat. This type of fat is metabolically active, meaning it burns easily, and is used for heating your body in cold weather. Most people avoid cold water in the winter, but summer is the perfect time for swimming in cold pools, lakes, etc.

If you have some weight to lose, don't let the summer pass you by. Use this summer to your advantage! If you need help developing some weight loss strategies, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I work with private clients or groups, in person or over the phone or by email. I'm here to support you!