I can’t believe that summer is around the corner already! 

After indulging myself in the delicious Swiss chocolate and pastries during Easter I decided it was time to prepare for the summer. It’s been difficult as my body was very used to a lot more food. 

Below is a list of how I’m preparing for an amazing sunny and warm summer! 

Exercise - Pilates and Walking: I’m increasing my exercise routine. I’m trying to do at least 30 min of exercise a day. I’m doing 3 days of cycling or fast walking, 3 days of Pilates and 1 day of Yoga . Now that the weather is better, having a walk outside is so much easier and it has so many benefits like improving your self-esteem and mood as well as reducing anxiety disorders and depression. I will soon move my Pilates and yoga mat outside!

Body Brushing: I bought a body brush ages ago and have rarely used it. Last week I finally got it out of the cupboard. Dry brushing is a way to exfoliate the body by running a bristled brush across dry skin, a technique that has been around for centuries. Many bloggers claim that dry brushing promotes healthy and glowing skin, saying it aids lymphatic drainage and boost circulation. Although, I couldn’t find any scientific evidence for these claims. I did note that dermatologists explain that by stimulating microcirculation the skin can look more vibrant and radiant. Your pores also open, ready to absorb your favourite body lotions, making your skin look more hydrated, silky and glowing. 

I’ll let you know how my skin is doing after a month of dry brushing. For now, I’m doing it 3 times a week. I dry brush before showering using upward motion. Once I’m done brushing, I step into a bath or shower, and finish with a lovely moisturizer.

If you have a skin condition such as warts, eczema, or acne you should consult a dermatologist first to make sure this method of exfoliation is safe for you. 

Intermittent Fasting: Is an eating plan that switches between fasting and eating healthily on a regular schedule. Research shows that intermittent fasting is a way to manage your weight and also give you some health benefits. There are different ways to do intermittent fasting. I chose to follow the 16 hrs of fasting and 8 hrs of eating mainly because most of those 16 hrs you are sleeping . The way this works is that during those fasting hours your body exhausts its sugar stores and starts burning fat.

While I’m fasting I make sure I stay hydrated. I mainly drink water and herbal teas and when I’m finding it tricky, I have a black coffee. During my eating periods I try to eat healthy. For the moment, I’m just intermittent fasting during the week so the weekend with family and friends is relaxed.

Research has shown that intermittent fasting can boost your memory, improves blood pressure and resting heart rate, prevents obesity and reduces tissue damage in surgery. 

Fasting is NOT for everyone so It's important to check with your doctor before starting intermittent fasting. Research shows that it can take 2 to 4 weeks before the body becomes accustomed to intermittent fasting so do please be patient with your families in case you suffer from being “hangry”!

Drinking Water: Drinking water for me is almost as hard as fasting. For some reason I’m never thirsty so I never feel that I need to drink water even though I know it’s important. I’m making a special effort now though. After all, drinking water is good because it…

·      Helps maximise physical performance

·      Affects energy levels and brain function

·      Prevents and treats headaches

·      Helps with constipation and kidney stones

·      And more importantly hangovers!

·      Helps with weight lost

I have a lovely water bottle (700 ml) that my husband gave me for our anniversary. I’m trying to have at least 2 of those bottles a day. Trying to increase to 3!

Protecting your skin: Sun is important to create Vitamin D but now that the sun is making an appearance it is very important to protect your skin. The idea is not only to protect your skin with sun cream but also through your diet.

I’ve never been a big fan of sun cream because they are thick and pore clogging but I always apply it when I’m out and about for long periods. I try to look out for the right sun-creams such as non-nano versions of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because the nanoparticles can be absorbed more easily to your bloodstream and may not be good for you. 

To protect your skin you can incorporate into antioxidants your diet. Carotenoids along with polyphenols like EGCG in green tea, resveratrol in red grapes and ellagic acid in berries, are your friends as they offer natural sun protection. Antioxidants in our skin are constantly being used up throughout the day, so it’s important to replenish through diet. For example, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and spinach, berries, grapes and pomegranate, oranges, grapefruit and kiwi are great. Omega-3s from fish oil can also help make sunburn less severe, oiling your skin from within.