Life Time Fitness, Maximize Your Summer!

Summer is here in Minnesota, here's 5 ways to help you maximize your healthy way of life living this season!

We have the pleasure of living in Minnesota, so let’s enjoy the seasons! Summer in MN gives us so many opportunities to get outside for our exercise. Whether you’re an athlete or not, outdoor recreation is great in the MN summer heat!

Here are some of my favorite summer activities:

• Hiking
• Roller blade
• Going to the park and playing on the jungle gym
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Participate in a 5k (click here for a list of local races)
• outdoor yoga
• tennis
• volleyball
• softball
• soccer
• golf

I could go on and on! Whatever it is you enjoy doing, get outdoors this summer!

Stop at your local farmers market for fresh selections to your fruits and veggies. Incorporate a cup of mixed fresh berries like blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries every day. There are so many health benefits in these fruits; they can be anti-aging and the fiber in them may help lower cholesterol!

Summer's a great time to choose a light, chilled alcoholic beverage. Making sure your sangria, cold beer, or skinny margarita are all refreshing but light will save you calories and guilt.

Enough said! Work on setting goals and improving yourself while not comparing yourself to other people or their goals. Start listening to what your body needs, realize that comparing yourself to others is a bad habit (that you need to kick!), and truly do what makes you happy and healthy. Know that every body is different in every way and learn to  that!

Weather it’s getting outside for a summer softball league, stopping at your local farmer’s market for some fresh berries or sipping a light margarita on your front porch, enjoy the weather and the time you get to spend with your friends and family this summer!

That’s it for now. Remember, I’m here for YOU so please share questions and comments below!

—Gina Batcheller, Health and Fitness Professional, Life Time Fitness