Pressures We Can Place On Ourselves During The Summer Months. Summer is a great time of year. A chance to spend time outside and enjoy the sunshine, while basking the great outdoors with family and friends. However, it can also be a time when pressure is placed on you from all different directions. The magazines and gossip sites are filled with celebrities looking picture-perfect in their skimpy bikinis. The desire to lose weight, get fitter and healthier and look out best is increased, and we can all crack under pressure we place on ourselves at this time of year. I thought I would share some of the most common issues we can all face and hopefully give you some clarity on how to deal with them.
Getting fitter
Being fit is a great lifestyle choice to embark on. Having more energy to do the things you love without feeling tired or getting out of breath can be a revelation. But we can also put too much pressure on ourselves and set unrealistic targets. This can then demotivate you on your quest for a better quality of life. We may have all heard the common phrase “no pain no gain” but this can hinder your chances. When it comes to increasing your fitness levels, the best advice would be to focus on being more active. Choose to walk more and be outside in the fresh air, consider parking further away from your destination to encourage you to walk. Head out for a run or simply try and make exercise a priority just a few times a week. You will notice a huge difference by just taking things at a slower pace.
Changing your diet
You may feel pressured to change your diet during the summer. On the quest to lose weight or feel better on the inside, you may feel pressured to eat more vegetables and salads. This, of course, won’t ever be a bad thing. But mentally you may be trying too hard or denying yourself other foods which are equally important to a balanced diet. Focus on just eating a range of food groups to ensure that your body is getting all the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Striving for that bikini body
Too many of us will see airbrushed pictures in the press and focus on how our body looks in comparison, but these can often not be true images. This can then place pressure on you to mess with your diet and cut out vital foods like carbohydrates. It may cause you to go to extremes when it comes to fitness or simply become obsessed with achieving an unrealistic visual. Instead, focus on you and what you want and need. Be happy in your own skin and celebrate your body shape.
Looking picture-perfect at all times
Finally, summer doesn’t always lend itself to looking picture-perfect at all times. There will be points of the day where you feel hot and sweaty, there may be times you won’t be able to wear your makeup or the clothes you want. Embrace the good weather and go with the flow. Happiness is the best ingredient for looking picture-perfect.
