Tips for a Fit and Healthy Summer

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By Samantha Clayton, AFAA, ISSA, Olympic runner & VP Worldwide Sports Performance & Fitness for Herbalife

Summer is just around the corner and summer body preparation should start now.  With proper planning, and an early start, you can avoid crash diets that do little for you waistline and even less for your mood. By focusing now on an exercise routine and a balanced nutrition program, you can get your body ready for summer and beyond.  Avoid the extreme crash diets and replace them with a sensible balanced diet and exercise to set yourself up for long-term success.

Below are my top tips to getting fit for summer.

• Commit to a Fit and Healthy Summer!  Think about increasing the types of activities that work for your lifestyle and that can easily be built into your day. Make it a point to read up on fitness news and information.
• Perform Simple Stretches.  Ensure you’re moving your muscles and joints through their full range of motion each day.
• Get Moving!  Increase your daily activity level by taking the stairs, parking in the furthest space from the store, gardening, dancing or playing with your children. If you become more active in your everyday life you’ll get fit faster.
• Add Regular Walks to Your Day.  You can slowly increase your time until 30-minutes feels comfortable. Then, increase your intensity level by walking faster. Start including varied terrain such as hills, then progress to a jogging or running pace.
• Perform Body Weight Resistance Exercises. Try simple squats, lunges, push-ups and then progress to using weights. Ideally, you need both resistance exercise and aerobic exercise to keep your body operating at its peak.
• Engage in Aerobic Exercise.  Repetitive motion, such as running, swimming or cycling, is important for the cardiovascular system. It can also tone muscles. Incorporating a little of both aerobic and resistance training is best for your daily routine.
• Eat More Mindfully.  Eating snacks that contain carbs and protein before a workout can provide you with energy, keep you focused and give your body what it needs to build muscle once the workout is over. Consistently pay attention to the foods you choose in order to properly fuel your body.
• Keep Hydrated.  Consume at least two liters of water each day. It is even more important to drink water before, during and after exercise. Even low-intensity exercise requires you to be well-hydrated.

About Samantha Clayton, AFAA, ISSA
Samantha Clayton is a former Olympic runner, personal trainer, and vice president of Worldwide Sports Performance and Fitness at Herbalife, where she is responsible for all activities relating to exercise and fitness education for Herbalife Nutrition Independent distributors and employees. Before joining the corporate ranks, Samantha, a native of Liverpool, England, was a professional athlete. She represented Great Britain in the 2000 Sydney Olympics in both the 200m and the 4x100m relay events. Samantha is a personal trainer and group exercise coach through the American Fitness and Aerobics Association (AFAA) and International Sports Science Association (ISSA).