Beyond the gym: Smart ways to stay in shape in the lazy summer season

During summer, being on top of your health game can be hard. Here are some quick, easy tips that will help you stay in shape.

We all have #fitbod goals, but, even the excuses to skip a healthy regime (a lot of them legitimate) are ample too. While some prefer to hit the gym, others find the daily hectic schedule to be daunting. In such a situation, every small change counts. Another deterrent? The summer. When the heat is on, the energy levels hit a new low. Here are a few tips that will help you remain fit without hitting the gym or feeling the heat.

WALK TO HEALTH

A simple walk can also do wonders to your weight loss journey — Nidhi Mohan Kamal

It’s easy to stay glued to your chair at work but nothing helps the body like a short walk. It’s hard to increase footwork during summer, but you can do it smartly. Ditch elevators for stairs, take a stroll while you talk on the phone, basically, keep that chair away whenever you can. “One must do some form of physical activity for at least 20 minutes in a day. Coupled by a good lifestyle, a simple walk can do wonders to your weight loss journey,” says nutritionist Nidhi Mohan Kamal.

DRINK IT UP

With the rise in temperature, the levels of lethargy in your body also increases. Thus it’s necessary to stay hydrated and drink a lot of water. Kamal says, “Dehydration is a major health issue in summer. So have at least three litres of water every day. Before you workout, load your body with some carbohydrates and fresh fruits. Also, try to workout during dusk or dawn when the heat is minimum.”

SUMMER WORKOUT

Dabbing few drops of eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil on the back of your neck can help you stay cooler in the heat. - Pallavi Srivastava Ramchandani

Fitness expert Pallavi Srivastava Ramchandani suggests people to workout during the cooler parts of the day. She says, “Dabbing few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil on the back of your neck can help you stay cooler in this sweltering heat. Opt for summer-friendly exercise regime such as, swimming, playing your favourite sport like basketball, football or badminton in the evening.”

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Workout alone won’t help you keep obesity at bay. A healthy lifestyle is also required and Ramchandani suggests that combating stress is also important. “Focus on reducing stress. If you are stressed, chemical responses from your body can halt your weight loss. Meditate in the morning or before you hit the bed to help your mind relax and focus better,” she says. Also 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day is necessary.

FOCUS ON YOUR FOOD

Healthy snacking plays a vital role in staying fit. High fat food not only increases the body temperature, but also slows down metabolism. Snack on fruits that are high on water content like watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple and oranges. Also add tomatoes, broccoli, celery and cucumber to your diet, which add to the cool factor.