It’s officially summer! Yahoo! Cape Cod, here we come in a few weeks! (Although here’s hoping we get some honest-to-goodness beach weather…it’s been so cool and non-summery lately!).
Seriously, though, I have been looking forward to our vacation for months now, to seven days of sleeping in (or sleeping as late as the kids will let me), being beach bums, spending time with the kiddos, eating ice cream, kicking my family’s butt at mini golf (oh, did I say that out loud?), and not thinking about work.
And I guess I’m not alone. Did you know that according to a recent survey by Balance Bar, 43% of Americans feel most balanced during the summer?
It makes sense to me. Aside from the fact that we go away for a week, for us the return of summer also means a less hectic schedule (no soccer games! no baseball practice! no gymnastics! no school projects! no homework!), lots of time spent outside at the beach and the park, early morning runs, eating fresh farmer’s market produce…ahhhhh.
To help you feel good inside and out this summer, Balance Bar is sharing tips from Gabby Reece — yes, that Gabby Reece, the volleyball star, health and fitness expert, entrepreneur, author, wife and busy mom of three — for staying active and smart eating.
According to Gabby…
- Make it your own: There is not one right way to get it done. There is the right way that works for you. When it comes to eating healthy, find the foods you like and implement those into your daily diet. The same goes for exercise. If you hate the gym then find something outside that is manageable for you. This is not about torture; this is about creating a lifestyle that you can do week after week.
- Sign up a friend: We tend to be more successful at accomplishing some type of exercise if we have an accountability partner. Solicit a friend and maybe use this as your time to connect. You can train for a 5k together or join an outdoor boot camp; there are a lot more options now that the weather is improving.
- Plan to snack: Take snacks (like fruit, nuts or a Balance Bar) wherever you go to prevent mindless eating. If I have an afternoon or early evening workout planned, I make sure to have one of these handy an hour or so before so that I have plenty of energy to get in a good workout.
- Variety is key: Make as many meals as you can at home so you can control your nutrition. These are some of my favorite recipes,– fresh and full of veggies! To keep things interesting and fresh at my house, I try to rotate foods. One night I may go for something heavier with veggies and grains, and then the next night focus on proteins. I really try to change up the food and create a great deal of variety.
- Each day is a new chance and it’s never too late: If you fall out of your summer shape up routine one day, don’t sweat it. Forgive yourself and move on – and just keep moving!
I love these tips, especially the last one. I’m such a stickler for schedules and tend to beat myself up when I miss a workout–be it intentionally or accidentally. But she’s right: every day is a new chance. So if I decide one morning that a long walk with my family is what I need, not an 8-mile run, or if I happen to oversleep and miss my boot camp class, it’s okay. Tomorrow is a new day.
(Gabby shares some of her favorite fitness moves here and has some additional tips for balancing fitness and a busy schedule here.)
Okay, now on to the exciting stuff…
To help you maintain some balance this summer, one lucky Keeping Mommy Sane reader will win a box of Balance bare bars and a Balance Bar headband!
I’m so excited for whoever wins this. I only recently tried Balance Bare bars and was pleasantly surprised! I was expecting a typical “nutrition bar,” but instead found they are made of whole foods, kind of like trail mix, and are non-GMO, gluten-free, and delicious–especially the sea salt caramel nut flavor. Yum. I now keep one in my purse for whenever I need a snack on-the-go.
Fill out the entry form below to enter. This one ends next Sunday, June 28, at 12:01am ET.
Disclaimer: I received product as part of a sponsored collaboration with Balance Bar. The opinions posted here are 100% my own.
Lisa Brown says
I maintain balance by drinking more water, staying out of direct sun, just try to keep cool.
Dandi D says
We take long walks in the morning when it’s cool and eat nutritious meals.
Sara hammer says
Sadly, I am still very much a work in progress when it comes to finding balance. I seem to fluctuate from “all in” to “all out” with an exercise routine. No system has really stuck for me so far, but I’m willing to try again. I’m definitely looking forward to reading Gabby’s suggestions….
Heather y says
I wake up an hour before my kids so I have me time- to work out or read a magazine. That’s what works at our house!
Christa Jones says
I keep my balance by making sure we do fun things as a family but also keep up on the stuff that needs to be done (house work, homework, etc)
DJ says
I go hiking and on long walks to relieve stress.
Kenny says
I try to get outdoors and be more active
Susan says
I go on a lot of walks and drink a ton of water
Erin Ellis says
I exercise in the morning before it gets too hot, and I drink wine in the evening.