Simple tips to look and feel great this summer

The weather has been beautiful and Sandpoint is beginning to bloom with change.

With the changing of the seasons, shorts are coming out of the dresser drawers and our skin is starting to see the light of day. Yikes. (Insert a deep sigh here.) How many of us are physically ready? Every year, we all are faced with the same dilemma, and yet we should all be better prepared, right?

We know the calendar should not be a guideline for our personal health and fitness. By now, it should be a way of life, as I may have mentioned in past articles.

Some questions you may want to ask yourself:

1. Am I completely happy with my own reflection in the mirror?

2. Do I have plenty of energy throughout the day?

3. Am I allowing any excuses to get in my way of working out and eating right?

We wanted to start eating better in January and intended on getting involved with a fitness program, but then life happened, and now it’s April. I’ve seen this over the years with a lot of my clients. But, here’s the deal. It’s never to late to start. So, don’t mentally beat yourself up, just get started today.

Here are some options for those of you who think they are too busy.

1. During your drive to work, practice holding your core.

2. Ladies, while you are applying your mascara, stand on one foot and work on your stability.

3. Boys, while you are relaxing in your favorite chair tonight watching the news, do a few crunches or leg lifts during the commercial.

4. Kids, instead of playing video games, get on your bike and go for a ride or, help mom with you dirty laundry, doing squats and lunges while you work. See how long you can whistle while you stand on one leg.

The simplicity here is that everyone has time to fit some type of activity into their daily life. It doesn’t matter if you are standing, sitting, laying down, working, grocery shopping, etc. there is always an opportunity for a little bit of exercise.

Here’s the deal: If you have 15 extra minutes in your day, I have a short workout for you. If you have 30 extra minutes, I have a workout for you. Every little moment of movement will all add up. Are you ready to get started?

Natalie Dreger is a certified fitness professional and can be reached at nataliedreger.com.