Tips to stay active this summer

(NC) Between travelling, spending time at the cottage and seasonal heat waves, it can be hard keeping fit during the warmer months. Fortunately, these simple tips can get you on the right track.

Create your own exercise plan. Most of us know that regular exercise and physical activity are two of the best ways to keep our body healthy, but sticking to a new gym routine or fitness class can be hard. An exercise plan with clear, specific goals and schedules can help you stay on track.

Don’t diet, eat healthy. A lot of fad diets promise fast results, but they often limit your nutritional intake and tend to fail in the long run. Eating healthier food and fewer calories is the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Focus on preparing nutritious meals with fresh ingredients and choosing your portion sizes carefully.

Stay motivated with smart tech. Using a fitness app on your smartphone to keep track of your progress and learn healthy recipes or new exercises. A fitness tracker or workout app can be useful for setting up friendly reminders to keep moving and stick to your exercise appointments.

Be strategic at restaurants. When eating out, there are some great tricks that let you enjoy your favourites while avoiding overindulging. The three-bite rule lets you take three bites out of a treat and then set it aside for a few minutes — you might discover that those few bites can be very satisfying, and might be all you really wanted in the first place. Substitute fries with healthier sides such as steamed vegetables, brown rice or a salad with dressing on the side.

Control your cravings. Sometimes you feel like you’re doing everything right, yet still not getting results. Things like cravings can get in the way of your weight loss by leading you to eat even when you’re not hungry. If you’re overweight and have health problems because of it, talk to your doctor about a new treatment option for chronic weight management.