How to Stay Fit During the Summer Months

This post was sponsored by Optimum Nutrition as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I don’t know how you guys feel, but over here, Summer seemed to sneak up on me! In the past, I’ve felt a bit rushed to clean up my nutrition and add in some additional workouts to get ready for beach season, but since transitioning to a more Paleo/holistic lifestyle, I feel like I’ve found a good balance that keeps me fit all year round. I thought now would be the perfect time to share the insights that I’ve picked up over the past few years as well as share some of my favorite ways to stay fit during the Summer!

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Kick Off the Day with Breakfast

You’ve probably heard this before, but it’s so important to start your day with a filling breakfast. Eating a balanced meal early in the day keeps you from starving later on and overeating. I tend to be hungriest first thing in the morning anyway, so I like to enjoy a meal that has protein, carbs and healthy fats to keep me satiated until lunch. Some days, I have time to cook myself a protein pancake or oatmeal, but since mornings are usually busy, I like to pour a bowl of Kashi GO – Peanut Butter Crunch and enjoy it with sliced fruit. Sometimes I’ll add a little nut butter for extra staying power! I love that this cereal packs 10 grams of plant-based protein per serving along with important vitamins, minerals and fiber.

My favorite tips for slimming down before summer vacation

Keep Your Pantry Stocked with High-Protein Snacks

I like to have protein-filled snacks on hand so I can quickly grab something before heading out the door on busy days. Optimum Nutrition has a variety of delicious protein-packed bars and snacks that can help keep you full in between meals – or that you can enjoy for a quick breakfast on the go! I’ve tried the Salted Toffee Pretzel Protein Crisps and the Chocolate Donut Cake Bites and you can’t go wrong with either! They both provide 20 grams of protein per serving, which is generally the amount of protein I look for in a bar. Walmart has a fantastic selection of Optimum Nutrition protein products, including plenty of other flavors that I now want to try!

Indulge in Moderation

It’s easy to get caught up in the mentality that you can never go off track with your diet or fitness or it will completely derail you – but that’s just not true! It’s okay to enjoy a treat in moderation or take a day off from your workouts, especially in the Summer when you’re more likely to go to cookouts or enjoy a vacation with family or friends. My general rule is to follow the 80/20 rule – so 80% of the time, I eat a nutritious diet and I give myself a bit of wiggle room with treating myself up to 20% of the time. Truthfully, I find that I will usually eat well more than 80% of the time, but I don’t beat myself up if there’s a holiday or a special event where I indulge a little more. Summer is also the time where the yummy drinks are flowing, and it’s really the only time I care to sip on a cocktail or enjoy a cold beer on the beach (responsibly, of course!). I love to keep our fridge or cooler stocked with Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold and Michelob ULTRA Lime Cactus because they’re low-carb, light beers that we can enjoy without the guilt and help us stay fit during the Summer!

Find Ways to Stay Active

I tend to prefer being outdoors in the Summer, so I usually change up my workouts a bit as the weather warms up to stay fit during the Summer. Instead of hitting the gym or streaming a workout indoors, I’ll put the girls in the double stroller and go for a long walk or a run. Since it gets super hot here in the Summer, I usually opt for an early morning or early evening stroll. Another way we stay fit during the Summer is by going on bike rides through the neighborhood. We have a pull-behind bike cart for the girls and we’ll make a big loop just before it starts to get dark in the evening – it’s the perfect post-dinner activity. Of course, having a good bike makes all the difference, and Schwinn is my favorite brand because I know it’s high quality and durable for all conditions. If you’re in the market for a new bike this Summer, you can find a great selection of Schwinn bikes at your local Walmart!