Some of us, especially on this side of the world, have a love-hate relationship with summer. And since the scorching season is slowly coming to an end, we don’t know if we should cry or celebrate. But while we are contemplating about our emotions, there are those who have suffered the dreaded summer weight gain, while on vacation or wherever it is that you hibernated to.

If you fall under this summer weight gain category, and you found it hard to keep fit while on vacation, don’t fret. The nice folks from DEFINE body & mind have your back and have agreed to share some healthy practices that will help you transition back into the bustling hustle of your daily life in addition to shedding off that summer weight gain.

Workout Practices to Help You Shed the Summer Weight Gain

Sip on the Regular

Staying hydrated is the easiest change that can be made to enhance peak performance. Both focus and intensity increase during workouts when the body is properly hydrated. For both early morning and post-work workout sessions, staying hydrated throughout the day is important!

Turn up the knob

If you are into indoor cycling (which is one of the major workouts at DEFINE), then this one is for you. At the end of the day, indoor cycling workouts are more about mental strength than physical endurance. So, don’t be afraid to turn the knob up on that bike and push past perceived physical limits. This is where the magic happens; exerting enough energy to melt that summer weight gain off your flanks.

Balance your Snacks

Snacking is a given, but you don’t want to overdo it if you want to see results. Eat a light snack two to three hours before any workout session. Something with an equal protein to carbs ratio is ideal. Try a banana with peanut butter, some nuts with an apple, or carrot sticks with hummus. For those who prefer to get going as soon as they wake up, it is essential to consume a high protein meal within 30 minutes of finishing your workout. This will help to repair and rebuild muscles while providing the body with necessary nutrients and energy for the day ahead.

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Get in Some More Zzzz’s

In the fast-paced world of 24/7 accessibility, unlimited to-do lists and never ending social opportunities, sleep often drops a few notches on the priority list (but not for me). However, lack of ample sleep can cause increased stress, health issues and related weight gain (and people still dare to tell me that I sleep too much). During slumber, our bodies (and muscles) repair and rejuvenate, making workouts exponentially more beneficial (right on the mark).

It is also important to remember that balance is key. Alternating sessions with muscle building body classes and lengthening mind classes will go a long way in shedding that post summer weight gain. So get started already!

xoxo