By Jillian Boston, Personal Trainer & Fitness Nutrition Specialist
Happy spring everyone! The warm weather is right around the corner and soon we will all be feeling rejuvenated. This time of year is notorious for spring cleaning our homes but it is also an awesome time to help the body reset after a long winter. Here is what I am going to be doing to support my body during spring and I hope it is helpful for you too!
Eat fresh spring foods: The fresher the better when it comes to your health. Asparagus, rhubarb, leafy greens like spinach and chard, root vegetables like radishes and carrots, and strawberries are all in season this spring. All of these foods are loaded with vitamins and minerals that help support the body, the immune system, and help rid the body of toxins. Try out this delicious spring recipe from our upcoming Spring into Summer LBD.
Hydrate: Staying hydrated helps keep your energy levels high, rids the body of toxins and helps you absorb nutrients more effectively. Try adding fresh or frozen fruit to your water to make it more interesting (and add extra nutrients). Decaf herbal teas, raw coconut water and fresh fruit smoothies are also great ways to stay hydrated.
Sweat out toxins: One of the best ways to help your body to reset is to sweat out what is not meant to be there! You can release sweat through exercise, the sauna or the steam room. Lucky for you Fitness Unlimited has all the tools to help you get a great workout sweat in as well as a newly renovated steam room and sauna! And we just upgraded your cycle experience! Our brand-new, state-of-the-art indoor cycle bikes are here—smoother, smarter, and ready to power your best and sweatiest workout yet. Clip in, turn up the energy, and sweat it out in one of our high-intensity cycle classes! 🔥💪
Evaluate your daily routine: Spring is a great time to take a look at what in your routine is working and what feels stagnant. Maybe you are being hard on yourself because you keep missing your morning workouts. Since it is lighter out later now, try switching your workout time to the evening. Or maybe you haven’t been making healthy meals because you are sick of winter foods. Try cooking with the veggies and fruits I mentioned above to liven things up!
Get outside: This can make a world of difference in how you feel! Whether you go for a walk during your lunch break, park your car farther from the gym to get some fresh air before your workout or you go for a walk after dinner, I promise you that you will feel so much better! Fresh air helps you reset your energy which in turn helps you reset the systems in your body. With the days staying lighter longer and the weather getting warmer hopefully you are able to get outside as often as possible.
Try to reduce your stress level: Spring is an awesome time to take a deep breath and think about what might have been stressing you out this winter. Is there something that you can change or that you can stop doing that will help alleviate this? Sometimes we literally need to see the light (the sun) in order to realize that we may have been on stress overload.
Digital Detox: I don’t know about you but I find that in the winter I am on my phone more and watch more TV because it gets dark so early. Before I know it I am in front of a screen way too much and it increases my anxiety and decreases my productivity. If you’re like me and you want to change this, try doing a digital detox. I try to make Sunday a “device free” day and honestly I feel amazing after! My mind is so much more clear, I am more motivated and I am happier. Sunday happens to work for my schedule but may not for yours so find a day or even a half day where you can be off a screen as much as possible.
Even if you incorporate just one of the above ideas into your routine this spring it will make a positive difference in how you feel. So pick what works for you and leave the rest :). Have a fabulous spring everyone!
