It’s a common trend I’ve observed over my 15 years of coaching: Many people find their health and fitness routines take a backseat during the summer.
This often leads to a pause in their fitness activities, which results in lost progress, weight gain and subsequent regret as they work to get back on track in the fall.
Interestingly, this pattern seems to repeat itself each year.
While I can’t pinpoint exactly why this happens, it’s clear that breaking ingrained habits can be challenging, even when those habits are detrimental to our well-being.
However, I do have some practical solutions that can help you stay on track this summer and break this cycle. By incorporating these three strategies, you can maintain your fitness momentum and avoid the familiar setbacks.
Start Your Workouts Early
Embrace the morning hours, even if it means an earlier wake-up call. Summer afternoons and evenings often present temptations that draw us away from our fitness goals. Instead of trying to fit in a workout late in the day when you’d rather be enjoying the weather, get it done first thing.
Those who successfully maintain their fitness during the summer often train before they’re fully awake. This way, you start your day feeling accomplished and energized, and you have the whole day ahead of you.
Keep Workouts Short and Flexible
Consider incorporating “exercise snacks” into your day. For a client heading on vacation, I recently designed 5-to-8-minute workouts that could be done in her pajamas with no equipment or special space required.
These short bursts of activity, often starting with a minute or two of warm-up, allow you to maintain consistency without feeling overwhelmed by time constraints. This approach shifts your mindset: Instead of feeling like you’re quitting, you know that you’re simply adapting your routine. That change in perspective does wonders.
You’ll be surprised at how much momentum you can maintain with these brief sessions.
Embrace Variety with Summer Activities
Take advantage of the season to introduce new and enjoyable activities into your routine.
Kayaking, paddleboarding, trail walks and runs, and swimming are fantastic ways to stay active, boost your fitness, and lift your spirits. Summer is short, so make the most of it by exploring different ways to move your body while enjoying the warmer weather.
A New Pattern!
This could be the year you finally break free from the summer fitness slump.
Imagine how good you’ll feel in September after making positive choices for yourself in July!
