Kiddipedia
We often hear people talking about how easy it is to lose weight during the summer months (because we supposedly eat ‘lighter’ and get a little more active).… but for some of us (and our kids), summer can have the complete opposite effect!
The thing is, with summer comes the longer days…. and with longer days, comes the opportunity to consume a LOT more calories, especially in the late afternoons and evenings. How often do you and your kids get home on a hot summer afternoon after a long day at school or work, and instead of getting the homework done and dinner organised straight away, you reach for a sugary soft drink, or a cooling wine spritzer, and some pre-dinner nibblies instead? Perhaps after dinner you all reach for an ice block or a bowl of ice cream rather than preparing for a cosy early night?
The warmer weather also often brings more evening barbeques, weekend picnics, and social events.… and inevitably, this means an abundance of decadent delights, sweet treats and high calorie beverages. Unfortunately, all these seemingly minor additions, can lead to the dreaded ‘summer swell’ weight gain!
Being mindfully aware of the ‘traps’ associated with the warmer season (rather than believing the ‘myth’ of summer weight loss), means that we are better equipped to combat the potential risks. Planning and preparation is especially important, particularly if the usual routine has been derailed by other events and celebrations. Don’t forget… Christmas and New Year can get completely out of control if they’re not effectively managed (especially when there’s kids involved).
There are of course, some really simple steps that we can take, to combat the ‘summer swell’
1.Embrace the Longer Mornings:
The sun is up earlier, so it’s a great opportunity to boost your day with some energizing exercise before the usual morning routine kicks in! Rising with the sun is a beautiful way to greet the day and focus your intentions. It’s also much cooler (and quieter) in the mornings, so it’s the perfect time to go for a brisk walk or jog around the neighbourhood.
2.Create Balance and Practice Moderation:
If you really enjoy a glass of wine at the end of a long, hot and stressful day, and you know that a cooling soft drink is really going to boost the kids, try to balance it out with a 50/50 mix with a naturally flavoured soda water or no-sugar lemonade. Alternatively, save them for mindful enjoyment at the end of the week or weekends and aim to set a sensible limit for optimum appreciation and enjoyment.
This same principle applies to food as well… where possible, ‘swap out’ creamy salad dressings for vinaigrette or try frozen portions of fruit instead of rich, sugary desserts. If you’re attending an event which makes this difficult or unlikely, reduce your energy intake the day prior to, and the day after the event.
3.Enjoy Opportunistic Moments:
When you’re out and about getting the kids to one of their activities, dress ‘workout ready’, or take your gym shoes along and any other lightweight equipment (eg: ankle weights / resistance bands etc). While they’re at their play date, or dance practice, use the opportunity to your advantage by going for a walk, or heading to the local park to do a quick workout while you wait. These opportunistic moments can be a wonderful chance to catch up on some ‘self-care time’, rather than scrolling through Facebook or Instagram for the bajillionth time!
4.Spread the Healthy Love:
Attending all the summer barbeques and Christmas / New Year social events, means that you’ll be tempted by an array of decadent spreads filled with starchy carbs, saturated and trans fats, and of course, a whole lot of sugar!! Stand out from the crowd this year and show how much you love everyone, by taking along a healthy plate of goodies…. you might be surprised by how popular you’ll be! (Or at the least, you and your kids will have something healthy to snack on)!
5.Fortify a Supportive Framework:
The summer months may herald the beginning of the holiday season, but that doesn’t mean that all routines and schedules need to be thrown out the window! Without school or work to get up for, it’s easy to sleep late, become sedentary, and snack more than usual…. so try to maintain some structure…. like getting up or eating meals at the same time each day. Schedule activities for specific times too… like exercising before breakfast, for example. If you find you have spare time on your hands, aim to be active, rather than grabbing another snack!
Remember…. summer is a great opportunity to spend more quality time with family and friends. Rather than being too restrictive or regimented though (particularly during the festive holiday season), be mindful of the ‘traps’ and try to remain as active as possible. Through focussed awareness and some simple contingency planning, escaping the ‘summer swell’ can be a breeze!
Enjoy!
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Written by: Cherie Rivas
Women’s Health & Wellness Mentor & Coach
Feel ALIVE! energized and capable of performing at your peak, by nourishing your body with real, fresh, living foods…. just the way that nature intended!
ALIVE! is the Ultimate Perfect Produce Guide…. listing what’s in season (in a month-by-month format), as well as loads of great information and feature recipes.
Get your FREE COPY here:
C.
xx
