Don't Let Those Health Habits End With Summer
The end of summer might officially be a couple weeks away, and that doesn't have to mean those good habits have to end. With all the seasonal fruits and vegetables that we've been taking advantage of this summer, you can use this as a way to set yourself up for even better habits come Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Then let's look at how much more you were able to get out and get active with the lazy days of summer. So with how good these habits made us feel, why would you want to say goodbye to these good habits with the end of summer?
I chatted with beauty expert and multimedia journalist, Grace Gold, about tips for getting and staying in shape, secrets to keeping our bodies healthy, and keeping that natural glow to your skin.
So first we are starting with those tips to help you feel comfortable in any outfit you wear whether it's for the office, some last minute beach/pool time, or just hanging out on the town with your friends.
The Summer Salad. We have a couple more weeks of summer left and if you haven't already, it's time to take advantage of what's still in season. Everything that's good for us is in season and still in season for a couple more weeks. So pile up those fruits and veggies and embrace that color. Don't forget to add a little protein, because that's the ingredient to keep you full.
Toppings. With any salad this is the area to really get you in trouble. So to keep the toppings healthy, try looking to fruit. Pomegranate seeds and sliced strawberries can add a lot of nice sweetness to your salad. Plus, you get the added benefit of these toppings not only being good for you but also good for your skin.
Salad Dressing. Try making your own salad dressings with some extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and then adding a little balsamic for a nice, fresh taste. Try getting in the habit of making your own because so many of the grocery store dressings can add the calories and fat.
Changing it up. As we are getting ready to approach a changing of seasons, it might be a little difficult to be able to eat a summer salad on a regular basis. One helpful tip for being able to maintain that healthy habit is to follow along with your grocery store aisles and flyers. This will often signal to you what kinds of produce are in season. This way you can change up your options every couple of weeks. Keeping it interesting and including variety will help you to stay motivated.
Beverages. This is an area that can also get us in trouble with some extra empty calories, but if you're not ready to give up that soda just yet then I've got an option for you. Coca-Cola has just come out with a smaller version that is just 100 calories (unless you get the diet option of course). It's an 8 oz. Bottle that is also in the form of that iconic collectible glass bottle.
Portion Control. Any time you have the option of individually-wrapped items instead of putting your hand into a bowl or a bag, take advantage. With that bowl or bag, you are setting yourself up to overindulge because it's hard to control and you are more likely to hit bottom.
Now if you are a little more budget-conscious and the individually packaged items don't seem quite as budget-friendly as that box or a bag, Grace helped me give you the answer. Serve the portion out onto a plate, and don't let yourself reach back into that bag. Let yourself enjoy what's on your plate. Take your time to chew your food, don't just swallow but savor, and you will find yourself satisfied without feeling overindulged.
Snacking before and after a workout. Before a workout will help you burn calories and after a workout means your metabolism is at its highest. For this many people look towards protein bars, but be careful because these can also be glorified candy bars. ThinkThin has a lean protein bar that is only 150 calories with 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. The protein will give you the necessary energy for your workout or to refuel right after and the fiber will help you feel full. These protein bars come in some dessert sounding flavors like Chocolate Almond Brownie and Salted Caramel.
Don't forget your skin. Many people are surprised to find that they get very sensitive and dry skin in the summer. When you think about it the sun, chlorinated pool water, and salt water at the beach are all things that will take moisture out of your skin. So look for Petrolatem in your moisturizers, cleansers, lip balms, and anything else that is supposed to give you hydration. Petrolatem coats your skin creating a barrier that helps your retain moisturizer more easily
Olay's Sensitive Body Wash is one product with Petrolatem. It gently cleanses and provides long-lasting moisture. The creators at Olay put an entire jar of Olay moisturizer in the body wash to make sure you get a nice gentle cleanse.
Sunscreen. Even when you least expect it, apply sunscreen. It will shield you from the sun and prevent that damage that can lead to aging and wrinkles.
So don't forget those healthy habits as summer nears the end and we begin to transition to Fall. For more of Grace Gold's tips, her website is www.gracegold.com.
