As summer approaches and the weather improves, the rush to lose weight begins. This is why lists of things you can do to feel fit for summer are searched for so often. In winter we spend more time at home, which can make healthy eating harder, and moving less in the cold weather can result in weight gain.
BEING FIT FOR SUMMER
Being fit is mostly used to mean having the body measurements that are seen as ideal and desirable. But being fit also includes being healthy. So avoid unhealthy diets and practices when working towards the body shape you want.
Many people try to lose weight shortly before summer. However, healthy weight management is a process that takes time. Weight lost very quickly is, unfortunately, often regained just as quickly, so the change is unlikely to last.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FEEL FIT FOR SUMMER
Get Support from a Dietitian
If you decide to follow a plan to feel fit for summer, it is a good idea to get support from a dietitian. An eating plan that worked for your friend may not work the same way for you.
Eating plans are prepared according to a person's eating habits, lifestyle and health conditions. In other words, they are personal. Support from a dietitian can make your journey much easier.
Breakfast Is an Important Meal
Breakfast is an important meal for starting the day well and keeping your appetite steady through the day. You may not feel like eating as soon as you get up, but skipping breakfast and going straight to lunch is not ideal. Breakfast should be your first meal of the day. A breakfast balanced in protein, vitamins and carbohydrate can help you manage your appetite throughout the day, which matters when you want to feel fit for summer.
Limit Carbohydrates and Choose Healthy Ones
In winter, pastries in particular can lead to weight gain. Eating too many carbohydrates can also contribute to higher blood sugar and cholesterol.
Eating too many carbohydrates is not good for health, and cutting them out completely is just as unhelpful. So add healthy carbohydrate sources such as fruit, vegetables and oats to your diet. This way you meet your daily carbohydrate needs while also supporting your weight management.
Stay Away from Ready-Made Foods as Much as Possible
Packaged foods eaten while watching series or films on winter evenings are one of the biggest causes of weight gain. To feel fit for summer, replace the meals where you eat ready-made and packaged foods with healthy snacks. Also limit oily sauces, fizzy and sugary drinks, and high-sugar desserts.
Set Regular Meal Times
Having your meals at regular times makes it much easier to get used to healthy eating. Even if the first few days of a set routine are hard, after 3-4 days many people find they are not so hungry and have adapted to the routine.
It also helps to stop eating after a certain time in the evening. Stopping snacking a few hours before bedtime can help improve your sleep quality.
Watch the Balance of Nutrients in Your Meals
To feel fit for summer and manage your weight in a healthy way, your diet needs enough macronutrients and micronutrients, in balance. If you do not know much about food and nutrition, it may be hard to get this balance. Dietitians can help with this and put together an eating plan that suits your needs.
Do Not Neglect Drinking Water
Water consumption is generally lower in winter than in summer, because of inactivity and feeling less thirsty in the cold. But you should not wait until you are thirsty to drink. Build a habit of drinking water; about 2.5-3 litres a day is a commonly suggested amount for many adults, though your own needs may differ. Whatever eating plan you follow, being under-hydrated can make it harder to feel your best.
Do Not Neglect Exercise
Exercise is very important for physical and mental health, so try not to neglect it at any stage of your life.
Combining a healthy eating plan with an exercise programme can help you work towards your goals and feel better.
If you cannot follow an intensive training programme, do not skip short daily walks.
This article is for general information only; please consult your doctor and dietitian about your own situation.
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The information in this article is general; what you need depends on your age, health and goals. Message us and we will build the plan that suits you together.
This content is for information only. For a personalised nutrition programme, please consult a dietitian.
