It is believed that summer is the time to lose weight. The indulgence of winter catches up with us and can’t be hidden behind thick layers anymore. So most of us get an exercise regime and try to reduce the extra kilos rich winter food adds to our bodies. However going about losing weight incorrectly can cause more damage than good. From low blood sugar to dehydration, pushing yourself in the sweltering summer months must be done with care.
So here are some do’s and don’ts if you’re trying to lose weight this summer.
1 . Do Not Skip Your Meals
-Many of us use summer as an excuse to skip meals “it’s too hot to eat” is the most common reason given.
-The body has to work doubly hard through summer to flush out toxins and regulate body temperature.
-The body needs the right kind of nourishment to continue working this hard. Instead of skipping meals, which will show a weight decrease, but cause you to lose muscle tissue and not fat, thus lowering your metabolism, plan healthier, lighter and easy to digest fare for summer.
-Increase your intake of veggies to increase fiber and nutrient intake.
-Go for baking instead of frying.
-Include healthy fats such as nuts, salmon, extra virgin olive oil, and avocados to fulfill the dietary requirement for fat.
2 . Hydrate YourSelf
-Summer means cool drinks, iced coffees, and fruit juices. These are packed with sugar, preservatives which amount to extra calories and further dehydration. When thirsty nothing beats water to best hydrate your body.
-A dehydrated body burns 50 calories a day less than a well-hydrated one. Stick to water to help aid your weight loss program.
-Keep sipping water all through the day rather than drinking water when you feel thirsty, chances are you are already dehydrated by the time you feel thirsty.
-Hydrate with fresh fruit juices, coconut water or fruits & veggies such as melons, cucumbers, oranges, tomatoes for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance through summer. These also increase your fiber intake helping you lose weight more easily.
3 . Do Not Ditch The Carbs
-Most weight loss regimes eliminate carbs from the diet to help reduce weight & it is true that refined carbs do increase your weight by adding empty calories.
-Ditching carbs, however, is not the solution; the body relies on carbs for most of its energy.
-In summer months we generally avoid proteins like red meat, eggs, and other rich dairy products, due to the heat, it is recommended that carbs be a part of your diet to provide the body with energy.
-Rely on whole grain carbs for energy, increase your intake of whole wheat bread or multigrain pasta, brown rice, super grains like millet, complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes or arbi to help reduce cravings keep you full for longer and help manage weight.
4 . Work Out Sensibly
-Exercising when it’s too hot increases the body’s core temperature and puts extra stress on the heart. This could also lead to heat cramps, a severe change in blood pressure levels and sometimes can cause one to faint.
-Exercise either early morning or late evening when the temperatures are lower, for best benefits.
-Hydrate well when exercising, water or fruit infusions are the best options for healthy hydration.
-Eat a small healthy snack before and after exercising to nourish the body.
Summer is one of the best seasons to lose weight, sweat it out and get fit again, try these tips to do it the right way!