The HEAT is on…..

With our summer’s getting hotter let’s have a close look at the different ways available to keep us cool and refreshed. Let’s start with the very basics.

• Wear a hat – it may seem an obvious one, but it is surprising how many people don’t. Just as you wear one in the winter to keep the heat in, wearing one in summer will protect your head. Your scalp and hairline do burn, if your hair is coloured it fades quicker. Wearing a hat can also prevent skin damage to your face, as well as using a high SPF sun cream to minimise lines and wrinkles. Always protect your eyes by wearing sun glasses too.
• Stay hydrated – The recommended quantity you should aim for is 6-8 glasses. There are many options for getting more liquid in, always carry bottled water when out and about, luckily, water bottles are now seen as a fashion accessory! Adding different fruit to your water can also add a delicate flavour and with many other benefits too. Adding cucumber and mint is a great diuretic, why not try freezing the center core of a fresh pineapple, just pop it in before you leave and it will defrost and release the flavour as well as keeping your water cool, great with lemons/oranges/peaches and soft fruit. You could buy cold infusions in assorted flavours too. There is of course low calorie or sugar free squash that you can add.

• Ice creams and Ice lollies – another perfect way to cool down, just be mindful of the calories, there are so many different ones on the market and all have the calories printed in big letters if they are proud of how low it is! Frozen grapes and bananas make a healthy alternative too. You can easily make your own, all you need is some lolly moulds ranging from £1.59 to over £10.00. Any diet drinks, fizzy or not just pour in and pop in the freezer…0 calories!! Kind to your teeth too!
• Alcohol – a delicious long cool glass of cider/beer?? A chilled glass of wine or three… Alcohol is known to dehydrate you and can also can cause the munchies and reduce the willpower. Be mindful of the extra calories you will be using, and balance the remainder of your day.
• Cool, loose cotton clothes – the very best fabric to absorb perspiration and let the skin breathe, definitely a must for underwear too!
• Tepid bath/shower – an ideal way to reduce your temperature. Also a cool flannel at the back of your neck can help.
• Fan – most of us have had to invest in these over the past few years, and a good way to cool down.
• Extreme heat – keep your doors and windows closed and the curtains too why not try investing in some thermal blackout curtains, these are not only great for keeping out the heat of the summer but also good at keeping the heat in your rooms during the winter months, stay inside and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid strenuous activity and if you do go out, remember all the tips.
• Bed Linen – you can also buy now bedding that reduces your body heat by up to 4 degrees, again try for cotton as it’s cool on your skin.

There will always be warm/hot days in summer, learning and developing strategies that keep us happy and healthy as well as not being a handicap on our weight loss journey is all part of the journey.

There is always that one summer that changes you.

beth merlin