Summer Workout Tips
Hello, Summer! Summer is definitely my fave season. I mean
who doesn’t love rooftop brunches, playing on the beach, and sunset happy hours? It’s also the season
where you find yourself wearing the least amount of clothes, but socializing a
bit more than usual. And by socializing I mean eating and drinking! Unfortunately
those two don’t really go hand in hand so I definitely like to kick my workout
into high gear during the summer months. I’ve received a couple requests via social
about my workout routine and thought I’d share a few of my summer workout tips!
In the beginning of the year I shared a bit about my workout regimen, but a few things have changed. Since my last Bikinis & Beaches post I started taking PopPhysique and OBSESSED is an understatement. It’s a great toning class that uses a ballet barre, light weights, and pink jelly balls. They’re very focused on the female body and places that require a little more attention like booty, abs and triceps. After one class I noticed a change and decided to sign up for a month! This brings me to my three tips about getting in summer workout mode:
It’s also important to set goals, but sometimes I think we all get a little too focused on meeting that goal weight or physique and don’t listen to our bodies. Maybe being 15 lbs lighter isn’t actually what your body needs to be healthy? Is a six pack realistic?! Don't be too hard on yourself. Remind yourself that overall it's important to workout to feel good and be on your "A" game... ie: this morning I cancelled my Pop class because I went to bed WAY too late last night to even think about getting up at 6am to workout - life happens!
What about dieting? As I mentioned above, I think we're all aware of our bodies and that maybe hamburgers 7x a week might not be the best for our waistlines or arteries. I'm not a fan of diets, never have been. Like most, I want to enjoy life wining and dining with the people I love and why deprive myself? Everything in moderation with a few minor adjustments (ie: drinking 3 nights instead of 7), but at the end of the day my motto is: kick up the workout intensity to balance out over indulgent nights.
In the beginning of the year I shared a bit about my workout regimen, but a few things have changed. Since my last Bikinis & Beaches post I started taking PopPhysique and OBSESSED is an understatement. It’s a great toning class that uses a ballet barre, light weights, and pink jelly balls. They’re very focused on the female body and places that require a little more attention like booty, abs and triceps. After one class I noticed a change and decided to sign up for a month! This brings me to my three tips about getting in summer workout mode:
1. Know your body:
We’re all old enough to know what our bodies want and
how they react to certain foods, workouts, etc. If boozing 7 days a week makes
you gain weight, why not cut back and only drink on the weekend? I know that I’m
naturally very thin and that if I do too much cardio I lose every curve in my
body. Therefore, I rarely focus on intense cardio - only heart healthy cardio - and turn to strength training and toning workouts. Whereas some people need
INTENSE cardio and very small doses of strength training to prevent bulkiness. My workout can’t be your workout and vice versa, but that doesn’t mean
we can’t learn from each other and curate the perfect personal fitness regimen.
2. Take advantage of your surroundings:
The best thing about summer is that you can take your
workout outside. Getting sweaty in the sun always feels amazing (to me at
least)! Run around the lake or on the beach. Plan a morning hike or jump in
your local pool for a few laps. This is the time to multi-task and live it up
outside. I try to plan at least one outdoor workout activity every weekend!
3. Workout with friends:
I found PopPhysique because my friend Cat invited me
to go to a class with her. Working out with a friend or significant other is
the best – you have someone to push you + feel your pain after squat
#293205825. There’s nothing better than looking at each other mid-workout and knowing that you're both thinking "OMG, this is so hard it hurts!"
It’s also important to set goals, but sometimes I think we all get a little too focused on meeting that goal weight or physique and don’t listen to our bodies. Maybe being 15 lbs lighter isn’t actually what your body needs to be healthy? Is a six pack realistic?! Don't be too hard on yourself. Remind yourself that overall it's important to workout to feel good and be on your "A" game... ie: this morning I cancelled my Pop class because I went to bed WAY too late last night to even think about getting up at 6am to workout - life happens!
What about dieting? As I mentioned above, I think we're all aware of our bodies and that maybe hamburgers 7x a week might not be the best for our waistlines or arteries. I'm not a fan of diets, never have been. Like most, I want to enjoy life wining and dining with the people I love and why deprive myself? Everything in moderation with a few minor adjustments (ie: drinking 3 nights instead of 7), but at the end of the day my motto is: kick up the workout intensity to balance out over indulgent nights.