Written by: Georgette LePage, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It’s almost officially summer, so where are you on your weight loss journey? Are you thinking about making some changes to look and feel better this summer once and for all? Are you following a healthier lifestyle plan for your exercise and eating? Are you about to cross the finish line to accomplish your goal? Wherever you are or are not yet, this is an ideal time of year to set your mind to make changes.
As the season of spring changes to summer, we often feel energized to reset, restart, or reframe our minds and bodies to a healthier time of year. Aside from cookouts and picnics, there is no real stressful string of holidays that carry expectations for our eating habits, so it is an optimal time to try something new to jumpstart your weight loss.
Typically, you spend more time outside in the summer in the sunshine and fresh air, which helps our mood, vitamin D levels, and overall interest in improving our health. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be hard and complicated at all. Today I’m offering you simple suggestions to follow a less is more approach as the days are longer and perhaps time away from the daily grind is reduced.
1. EAT LESS, MOVE MORE
This is the most basic formula for losing weight anytime! Especially when it is warm weather, we don’t necessarily need a huge amount of heavy food in the summer. Switch your sandwich at lunch to a big salad piled high with veggies and fruit and see how much lighter you feel. Replace sugary desserts with fresh, succulent fruit. Drink more water all throughout the day to stay hydrated and more filled up. It will also benefit your skin and digestion. That’s a win-win! Next, move your body more often! I certainly don’t mean that you have to become an elite athlete, but pick something that you want to do and get started right away! Walking is free and has numerous benefits, as do jogging and running. Want to take up swimming? Find a pool and dive in! Is there something you want to learn more about? Turn your curiosity into action! What you choose for movement doesn’t have to be hard or expensive, nor should it be. JUST START MOVING YOUR BODY!
2. WORK LESS, PLAY MORE
Summer is a great time to scale back on your work hours and to take some much-needed vacation time away from your everyday routine. Also, the anticipation of a trip can build motivation and excitement plus a lot of fun for making new memories. If you are able to work fewer hours, add more play to your life. Make a list of things that you truly like doing as movement, and get to it! When was the last time you went for a hike, especially if you love that type of activity? Create a wishlist of ways to play and make a plan to spice up your summer activities. As always, do what you love to do AND take a few risks to try new activities! Why not involve your family members to share your excitement!
3. REST MORE
Slow down and enjoy each day with more intention! Making a shorter to-do list every day and building in rest periods each day will rejuvenate your whole body and will decrease your stress level. Cut out errands and chores that are really not necessary. Just because you always do laundry every day, for example, doesn’t mean that it’s a habit you must continue. Change it up and pick certain days to do laundry. You’ll quickly find out how you may have been overworking yourself. Be more efficient with your daily schedule, and you’ll find hidden time to do more things that make you happy and healthy. Rest time and naps are not just for little kids. Stretch out on the porch lounge chair and just stop doing anything for 20 minutes. You’ll feel refreshed and recharged for the rest of your day.
4. CLEAR THE CLUTTER
Stuff weighs us down, without a doubt. Too much clutter can overwhelm and discourage you. It can easily hold you back from making changes. Just stop and think about your physical environment at home, for example. Is there an area in your home that stresses you out on a regular basis? Do you feel overwhelmed in your home? Is it the peaceful environment that you desire? Does it inspire you or hold you back from feeling calm and grounded? Start in one area of your home and clear the clutter. For example, what is the condition of your closet? Does it feel like a boutique that you are excited to step into, or does it feel like a tornado whirled through it, and you get stressed out just looking at it? These are good questions to ask in order to make some changes. I love to organize my home more intentionally in the summer and get great pleasure in donating my items so that others can enjoy them. There are so many ways to clear the clutter, so just pick one spot and start sorting and downsizing without drama. You’ll see how refreshing it is and will be inspired to tackle other parts of your home, as well.
5. WASTE LESS TIME
Every human being on the planet is given the same 24 hours in a day, I promise. We always hear people wishing for more time in the day, but it isn’t about how much time we have as much as what we do with our time that counts. This summer, get curious about how much time a day you spend scrolling in your social media feeds. Notice how much time you sit in front of the television each day. Also, how much time do you spend procrastinating each day? These three-time wasters suck valuable time out of each 24 hours a day that we are given on this earth. Is that how you want to spend your time, really? If the answer is no, set aside a certain amount of time for such activities each day and reevaluate their importance and how you’d rather fill that time. Summer is a perfect time to make changes to optimize the 1,440 minutes a day that you have to spend.
So, take advantage of the freedom of summer and notice how a few changes can positively impact your weight loss and overall health. The “less is more” mantra can help you to chip away at what is holding you back from being your healthiest self! If it seems too big to handle on your own, that’s the perfect time to work with me as your health and life coach. Partnering up with an expert who can guide you and hold you accountable for your action steps will lead you to successfully reaching your goals! Let’s make this summer the perfect time to put your health goals at the top of your priority list! Less is definitely more! Happy Summer!
Georgette LePage, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Georgette LePage is a certified Health and Life Coach who empowers women all around the world to lose their mental weight first in order to then lose their physical weight. Her approach is honest, real, clear, and genuine with transformational habit change and mindset reset methods. Georgette's energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Her focus on a healthy lifestyle inspires her clients to leave behind old diet culture thoughts and patterns in order to embrace fresh and simple ways to live their best lives without diet drama. Empowerment, self-confidence, and self-care are cornerstones of the programs that she offers. She helps her clients to get the results that they want with realistic, real-life strategies. She lives her own life the way she coaches others. She listens to what her clients want and guides them with compassion and accountability as they achieve their goals. She works with people of all ages (teens to seniors and every age in between) who are ready to live a healthier, more joyful life. Georgette also hosts the talk radio show WHY WEIGHT? with Dr. Pat Baccili on Transformational Talk Radio. In addition to speaking English, she also is fluent in French and Spanish. Georgette has 32 years of experience as a World Language Teacher, as well. Her coaching motto is: Feel better. Look better. Be your best self!
