Warm summer weather presents the perfect opportunity to head out for a leisurely stroll or relax at the beach.
However, it is also important to keep up (or take up) some exercise over the summer months. Besides making us more body confident, exercise also has a whole host of benefits for our body and mind like giving you energy and giving you a rush of mood brightening endorphins.
Here are some tips to for exercising during the summer months:
Ditch the gym
The gym is great when it's cold, raining or just miserable outside but let's face it, it's expensive and can be boring at times (or is that just me?). So while the sun is shining why not take your workout outside? Go for a run, do some yoga al fresco or go for a swim, it makes exercise so much more fun and interesting.
Hydrate
This is important all year round but especially during the summer months. Try your best to drink around 2.5 litres of water a day and snack on hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon and cucumber.
It is also worth noting that it's equally as important to hydrate before as after a workout to keep your body in optimum condition for exercise.
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Protect yourself
You may remember to lather on the SPF and wear sunglasses and a sunhat when out sunbathing but don't forget to do the same before you head out for your workout.
It is also a good idea to wear lightweight and light coloured clothes to keep yourself as cool and comfortable as possible.
Check your route
Before you go out for a run, make sure your route doesn't get too much direct sunlight or has plenty of shady spots. If you have a favourite route that does have too much sun, keep your runs to earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when it is still warm but not too hot.
Think outside the box
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A workout doesn't have to be what you would traditionally consider exercise, especially in the summer. Taking the dog for a walk, gardening, going for a cycle and mowing the lawn are all perfect activities that double up as a great workout!
