Summer is just around the corner (it’s practically here!) and we’re all feeling the shift in energy as we get to spend more time outdoors with the ones we love!
Looking and feeling your best is SO important. Summertime is usually when we all start to become more aware of how our bodies look and feel because we’re naturally wearing less, and there are more activities to participate in!
Sexy is more than just how you look, it’s how you FEEL. These 7 tips are sure to have you looking and feeling like the sexy beast you are this summer 🙂
1. Drink Lots of Water
With the hot summer months just around the corner, it’s important to stay hydrated. Water is vital to maintaining a healthy body, not to mention, a sexy one! Water helps us curb unhealthy food cravings, and remove toxins all the while improving the appearance of our skin, hair, and nails. Here are a few tips on how to drink more water!
2. Go Easy on Simple and Processed Carbs
When eaten in excess, simple carbs and processed carbs, like white bread or candy, lead to weight gain. Sweet foods also act as appetite stimulants which can cause us to over-eat, leading to weight gain and other imbalances. Complex carbohydrates like sweet potato, oats, and beans, on the other hand, improve energy and mood, help keep our hormones balanced, and allow us to feel full for longer. Try some of my favorite complex carbs to help keep your summer body looking and feeling sexy!
3. Get Your Sweat On
There is no better time to get our sweat on! The summer months give us the added benefit of natural, sweat-inducing weather. Working up a sweat helps us shed extra pounds, remove toxins, increase endorphins, and boost the immune system. Go for a run in the sun, do some yoga on the beach or try a hot yoga class! Even sitting in a sauna for 15 minutes can help remove toxins and improve circulation. Getting a good sweat on a few times a week ensures we stay looking and feeling our best.
4. Feel the Sunshine
In addition to giving our skin a bit of a glow, natural sunlight does wonders for our body and mood! Sunshine allows us to naturally produce vitamin D, which helps balance our hormones and boost the immune system. Exposure to sunlight also reduces depression and seasonal affective disorder, truly allowing us to glow from the inside out! Be careful not to over-do it, excessive sun exposure can be damaging to the skin, all you need is 10-20 minutes in the sun to receive the benefits.
5. Build Meals Around Protein and Veggies First
Protein helps us build and repair muscles, increases energy, and helps us stay full, while veggies give us a vitamin and antioxidant boost. Increasing protein and veggies in the diet also improve the appearance of skin, hair, and nails. After you’ve picked your favorite protein, pick your favorite vegetables, and focus on complex carbs last. For an added beauty boost try salmon as your protein, the type of oils found in it are great for our skin!
6. Add in Healthy Fats
Healthy fats, such as fats found in coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and ghee, seeds and nuts, and cold water fish help us burn fat! Healthy fats also help us balance our blood sugar and hormones, they give us energy, as well as reduce inflammation. The fats found in cold-water fish, such as salmon and halibut, provide us with a healthy dose of EPA and DHA, which are two types of Omega-3 fatty acids. EPA and DHA affect both our physical and mental health, ensuring we feel as good as we look.
7. Reduce Stress
Reducing stress helps us with weight management, hormone balancing, and just about every other process in the body! Not only does stress make us feel sick, but prolonged exposure can cause premature aging and weight gain. Try meditation or yoga, or some new stress-relieving foods! Even if all you manage to do is take 15 minutes out of your day to breathe deeply, your mind and body will thank you. Focusing on reducing stress will help get you into the mindset of a truly sexy beast this summer!