Make this Summer an Active One

June came and went in a flash, but the summer is still young. We want to make sure that we make this one that counts!

The warm weather naturally makes us lethargic...

...but there are several ways to get motivated to work out and just lead a healthy lifestyle every day.

Exercise in the early morning. It is typically best before 10 a.m. before the summer heat sets in, because not only is working out in the heat uncomfortable, it can be very dangerous. Starting your day with even a light workout will leave you feeling good and energized for the day.

Play music that pumps you up! Make a playlist of music that makes you want to get up and dance, and play it in the morning when you wake up. The music and the feeling you get from it will make your mindset shift from “I want to go back to bed” to “I want to get out and do something!”

Make your plans the night before. You do not want to wake up and then make plans for your workout. Do everything the night before so the only thing you need to do is get up and go:

• Look up tomorrow’s weather: This way, if it is raining, you already have your indoor workout plans.

• Lay all of your workout clothes out so you don’t have to look for them. Actually, sleep in your workout clothes if they’re comfortable. Then you just have to wake up and head out!

• Sleep early. This may be hard when it does not get dark until late during the summer, but give yourself 8 hours of sleep every night.

So be prepared to kick yourself in the butt! Whether it is walking, jogging, or swimming, getting out and just being active will have you feeling your best. We promise :)

Sources:

http://beta.active.com/running/articles/8-tips-for-exercising-in-summer-heat
http://www.sparkpeople.com/blog/blog.asp?post=how_to_make_yourself_work_out_when_its_dark_out

Swimming: the Best Exercise

Finally! The weather is getting warmer, and we're finally going to be able to go out to the beach, the lake, or the pool. Not only will jumping in the water and moving around be refreshing on your hot skin, it is a great way to exercise your whole entire body. 

In fact, swimming has benefits that no other form of exercise has. Here are a few reasons why you should get in the pool as soon as possible:

• Gentle on your Body: swimming gives you the ability to work out your body without harsh impact to your skeletal system. This makes the pool a great place to work out for those with stiff muscles and sore joints.
• Increases Muscle Tone and Strength: swimming requires one to propel your whole body through water, which is why swimming is a better workout than other aerobic activities. Every movement in the water takes more energy than it would normally on dry land.
• Good for the Heart: The deep breathing and exercise that swimming evokes helps strengthen the most important muscle in your body. Swimming will help enlarge the heart and make it more efficient when pumping blood throughout the body.
• Weight Control: Swimming is now recognized as one of the biggest calorie burning exercises. For 10 minutes of swimming breast stroke, you burn 60 calories; backstroke burns 80; freestyle burns 100; and the butterfly stroke burns 150 calories!
• Lowers Stress: Exercising in general releases feel-good chemicals into your body called endorphins. Swimming also induces a natural relaxation response similar to yoga. This is swimming requires you to breath rhythmically while simultaneously stretching out your body.

The final reason is that swimming is just so much fun!If it's still a little cold out there for your liking, try to find a nice, heated indoor pool near you.