A Brighter and Lighter Summer

Whoa, there’s no way it’s the end of June already! How did that happen?

I wasn’t always a big fan of summer (I actually liked being in school), but it’s growing on me as I get older. Bonfires and beaches, smoothies and sundresses, there’s something about summer that really lifts my spirits and lightens my mood.

As you know from my previous post, this summer I am taking the challenge to really push myself toward a healthier lifestyle. If your health/eating/exercise has taken a back burner lately, summer is a great time to get back on track. With all the sunshine and warm temperatures, it’s hard to find an excuse not to get out there and enjoy it. And that usually means some sort of physical activity. Swimming, biking, rollerblading, even getting involved in a softball league. A simple walk right around sunset is one of my favorite things. If you can commit to at least three days of activity each week, that’s a great place to start!

As much as I love a big bowl of chili on a cold night, summer food gets me just as excited. Give me a salad every day, please. Anyone who told you that salad is boring has no idea what they’re talking about. They probably have lame salads with iceberg lettuce, croutons, and ranch dressing. Yeah, that sounds pretty boring to me too. I love a big, bright summer salad. And salad isn’t just for veggies, friends. Add some blueberries or strawberries. I have had a spinach salad with blueberries, almonds, and a homemade lemon dressing for lunch every day this week. Top it with grilled chicken and, let me tell you folks, that thing is a winner.

Aside from the beautiful weather, one of the greatest things about summer is that a lot of fruits and veggies are finally in season (which means they’re cheaper and more readily available – yay!). When you are focusing on eating healthier, the produce aisle is your best friend. And grocery shopping can be fun when you walk through local farmers markets. Eat healthy and support your local growers: win-win.

Finally, I love summer playlists. Who doesn’t love a sunny day, driving with the windows down, and playing something loud and fun? This summer my playlist includes a lot of American Authors, CHVRCHES, and The 1975. Those are the bands that get me in the mood for driving, running, and dancing. Add some country (if you’re into that) (p.s. isn’t country music so much better in the summer?) and I’m all set for beaching or barbequing.

I am excited to continue on this challenge, using this summer to launch a healthier lifestyle. At the end of June I am already feeling brighter and lighter!

Brittany

Comment below with your favorite summer activities, summer foods, or summer music.

Back in the Game

Spring semester was a rough one. I was trying to focus on large final projects and papers and emotionally prepare myself for graduation. Up until the week before graduation, I had zero plans for summer employment and had kind of resigned myself to going back home and hopefully finding something, anything. Basically, I was living in a near-constant state of stress. And my body was not happy.

I stopped working out and neglected almost all thoughts of healthy eating. My face was breaking out and I started gaining back some of the weight I had lost the year before. I wasn’t happy with what was going on inside of my body, but I didn’t have the mental capacity to address it at that point.

After a week of vacation, settling into my summer housing, and starting my on-campus job, I was able to breathe again. And when my head finally started to clear and the anxiety and stress were nearly gone, I found the desire to live a healthier lifestyle stir in me again.

Fortunately, right around that time one of the Facebook pages I follow introduced a summer challenge. A group of people committed to making changes over the course of 90 days and seriously pursuing a healthier lifestyle. It was just the push I needed to get back in the game.

So over the last week I have found myself planning meals, buying more produce, and actually looking forward to workouts again. And it has been fun (so far)!

I have every intention of getting back into blogging this summer as well, and hopefully this will be a place of sharing and encouragement and honesty and maybe even struggles.

Thanks in advance for following me through this new season!