As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, many of us shift our focus and attention to shedding those extra pounds, getting fit, and embracing the vibrant energy of the summer season. This edition is packed with tips on mindful eating, incorporating Ayurvedic principles to stay balanced during the warmer months, and achieving your fitness goals. Beyond the physical, we also emphasize the importance of cultivating a positive body image and feeling secure in our own skin. 

Join us as we explore holistic approaches to achieving a healthy, confident, and radiant summer body. 

Positive Body Image & Being Secure in Your Body

Gone are the days of looking at summer as a time to fit into a bikini! I invite you to reimagine summer bodies as lighter for the warmer weather, balanced, and fit. That may look different for every body. What we all DO want is is to feel comfortable and at ease in our bodies in the hotter weather, and that usually means shedding a little weight. Alongside this, I also invite you to dismiss AGE! You can wear shorts, short skirts and bikinis at ANY AGE! My goal is that you feel CONFIDENT in your skin! To wear and do whatever you want.

Embracing body positivity and practicing self-care are essential components of nurturing a positive body image and enhancing overall well-being. It’s important to celebrate and appreciate our bodies for all they do for us, regardless of shape or size. Engage in activities that make you feel good, whether it’s yoga, dancing, or simply taking a walk in nature. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, challenging negative self-talk and replacing it with affirming thoughts. Prioritize self-care rituals that promote relaxation and stress relief, such as mindfulness meditation, bubble baths, or journaling. By fostering a loving relationship with your body and mind, you can cultivate a sense of empowerment, confidence, and inner peace that radiates from within.

Self-Acceptance: Embrace and appreciate your body as it is, focusing on what it can do rather than its appearance.

Positive Affirmations: Practice daily affirmations that reinforce a positive body image, such as “I am strong,” or “I love and respect my body.”

Surround Yourself with Positivity: Engage with supportive communities and avoid media that promotes unrealistic body standards. Celebrate diversity and the uniqueness of all body types.

What is Ayurveda and how can I make use of it?

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. It is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The primary goal of Ayurveda is to promote good health, rather than fight disease.

Ayurveda is beneficial for healing the body because it emphasizes personalized care, considering an individual’s unique physical and emotional makeup, and their connection to the environment. It promotes a holistic approach to health, integrating diet, herbal remedies, exercise, meditation, breathing exercises, and physical therapies. This comprehensive approach helps to restore balance, prevent illness, and enhance overall well-being.

Ayurvedic Practices for Summer Vibrant Health and Weight Loss 

Cooling Diet

• Emphasize Cooling Foods: Incorporate naturally cooling foods such as cucumbers, melons, leafy greens, and coconut water to counterbalance the heat of the season.
• Light Meals: Opt for light, easy-to-digest meals. Avoid heavy, oily, and spicy foods that can increase body heat.
• Herbs and Spices: Use cooling herbs and spices like mint, coriander, fennel, and cumin in your meals to aid digestion and keep the body cool.

Hydration

• Drink Plenty of Water: Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas like mint or fennel tea. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, as they can dehydrate the body.
• Herbal Infusions: Make refreshing herbal infusions with ingredients like hibiscus, rose, and lime to keep hydrated and maintain electrolyte balance.

Physical Activity

• Exercise in the Morning or Evening: Engage in physical activities during the cooler parts of the day to avoid overheating. Focus on moderate exercises like yoga, swimming, or brisk walking.
• Yoga and Pranayama: Practice yoga poses that are cooling and grounding, such as forward bends and twists. Incorporate pranayama (breathing exercises) like Sheetali and Sheetkari to cool the body and calm the mind.

Daily Routine (Dinacharya)

• Morning Rituals: Start your day with a routine that includes oil pulling, tongue scraping, and a gentle oil massage (abhyanga) with cooling oils like coconut or sunflower oil.
• Self-Massage: Perform daily self-massage to improve circulation, detoxify the skin, and promote relaxation. Use cooling, calming oils to balance the heat.
• Rest and Relaxation: Ensure you get adequate rest and incorporate relaxation practices like meditation to maintain mental and emotional balance.

Mindful Eating

• Eat with Awareness: Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite, eating slowly, and paying attention to your body’s hunger and fullness cues.
• Balanced Meals: Prepare balanced meals that include all six tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent) to satisfy your palate and nourish your body.
• Avoid Overeating: Eat until you are satisfied but not overly full. Ayurveda recommends filling your stomach half with food, one-quarter with water, and leaving one-quarter empty for optimal digestion.

Here are my top 3 Ayurvedic gems to enhance your wellness journey!

Other Simple Summer Practices

THE SIMPLEST THING YOU CAN DO IS GO FOR WALKS! GET THOSE 10,000 STEPS IN!

Shedding Weight

• Balanced Diet: Focus on consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Reduce intake of processed foods and sugary beverages.
• Regular Exercise: Incorporate a mix of cardiovascular workouts, strength training, and flexibility exercises to boost metabolism and burn calories.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and support metabolic processes. Aim for at least 8 glasses daily.

GO FOR A WALK AFTER MEALS!

Getting Fit

• Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable fitness goals to stay motivated. Start with small, incremental changes and gradually increase intensity.
• Varied Workouts: Mix different types of exercise such as running, swimming, yoga, and strength training to keep your routine interesting and well-rounded.
• Consistency: Stick to a regular workout schedule, aiming for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

GO FOR A WALK AFTER MEALS!

Mindful Eating

• Eat Slowly: Take your time to chew and savor each bite. This helps with digestion and allows your body to signal when it’s full.
• Portion Control: Be mindful of portion sizes to avoid overeating. Use smaller plates and bowls to help manage serving sizes.
• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to hunger and fullness cues, and avoid eating out of boredom or stress.

GO FOR A WALK AFTER MEALS!

Along side the physical, pair some nourishment and supplements to your first month of summer with one of our meal plans and discounted supplement products! 

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