With summer in full swing, you may feel like your motivation to stay active is at an all-time low. After all, with all those cool nights on the patio and weekend barbecues, it’s hard not to let loose a little!
While taking a week or two off to relax and wind down isn’t the worst, not working out for two or three whole months can be disastrous for your fitness goals come fall. To help keep you on track throughout the hot summer months, we’ve listed our top 5 ways to get motivated and stay active this summer.
Change Up Your Routine
One of the best ways to get motivated to stay active is by changing up your routine. Summer brings along with it a heap of new exercise and workout opportunities, so take advantage of the longer days and better weather, and shake things up a bit.
Instead of sticking to your regular post-work gym or home workout, try visiting an outdoor gym or take part in some free outdoor activities in the cooler hours of the day.
Avoid the Temptation to Sleep In
While it may be tempting to sleep in after a long summer night, summer is the best time of the year to get a head start on the day. Wake up an hour or two earlier than you usually would and get some exercise in. Go for a pre-work walk, cycle, or run while it’s still cool but not yet hot enough to be uncomfortable.
Something as simple as a summer morning walk can really help you stay motivated and give you a little break before each workday. This, in turn, can improve both motivation and productivity.
Adapt Your Workouts
Let’s face it, the summer heat can make even the most active of us feel lethargic at times. To avoid lethargy taking over and interrupting your summer workout, try adapting your workouts to suit the weather. For instance, you could cut your regular winter workout in half, but double the intensity.
Cutting down your workout time makes scheduling your exercise easier and gives you fewer excuses to forego it. Remember to ease into your workouts in summer, especially during the hotter times of the day. Be sure to stay well hydrated both before, during, and after your workouts, and try exercising earlier in the day when the weather is cooler and your energy levels are at their highest.
Go Camping
Camping is a great excuse to get out of the city for the weekend and take in the great outdoors. Whether alone or with friends and family, camping offers ample opportunities to stay active. Take a bike along with you and explore some country trails or try a long day hike.
While not a workout in itself, spending time outdoors naturally involves more strenuous activities. Even something as simple as setting up a tent or having to walk farther to the bathroom beats lounging around the pool in terms of exercise and activity.
Make the Most of the Weather
The perfect way to get motivated to stay active this summer is to simply combine working out with the gorgeous weather. Outdoor boot camps are especially popular this time of year and are ideal for staying in shape.
Take your workout to your back yard, go for a jog in the park, or try some water sports. Kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding can make for great workouts and are a must if you’re a fan of water sports. Even if you’re not, try giving them a shot anyway, you may just find your new favorite hobby! Last but not least, if all else fails, just remember how far you’ve progressed throughout the year – don’t let that go to waste. Remember how good those endorphins feel after a solid workout and let that be your motivation to stay active this summer.
