Summer is here and for most of us, this means getting outdoors more, soaking up the sun and just relaxing. For me, I seem to be more active in the summer. The weather is nicer and we seem to be outside more often running around or having fun. If you know me, you know I drink a lot of water. Like a lot.
Thanks to Balance Bar and Ball Canning, this is my current, new obsession. Fresh fruit flavored water. I love it! And I’ve always loved mason jars. I think they are so pretty .. we actually drink out of mason jars all the time. And now I have this super cool Mason Jar Infuser!
So, why did Balance Bar send me this stuff?
Balance Bar® just kicked off a Summer Shape-Up Challenge to help people move more, eat healthier and feel great while enjoying the summer. “The 40-day Challenge will be filled with 30-minute workouts, healthy eating tips and multiple social media giveaways on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. Holly Del Rosso, an NASM certified personal trainer, created the exercise program which includes 18 different 30-minute workouts focused on different parts of the body such as abs, legs and back.”
“It’s important to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day like walking, running or just moving your body, and making nutritious meal and snacking decisions is critical for getting the most out of your fitness routine,” said Holly Del Rosso, personal trainer and Balance Bar spokesperson. “I always tell my clients to eat a small meal or snack like a Balance Bar at least 90 minutes before any workout to ensure they have the best levels of energy.”
Holly’s shares her summer workout philosophies and tips on Balance.com which include the following ideas:
- Take your workout outside. Outdoor workouts are challenging and refreshing so try paddle boarding, surfing, cycling, yoga in the park or group runs like a 5K.
- Eat seasonal fruits and veggies. Most fruits and veggies are at their peak during summer months and by eating them you’re adding more nutrients to your diet. Look to add a host of different colors to your meal with various fruits and vegetables. Try grilling vegetables (corn, eggplant or zucchini) for a delicious side to your dinner or add juicy fruits (blackberries, peaches and melon) to your morning breakfast.
- Find a buddy to workout with. By partnering with someone, you’re more likely to work out when you say you will and it’s also a great way to catch up with old friends. Some of my favorite “buddy workouts” include biking, outdoor dancing classes, canoeing, and of course, hiking (with a healthy picnic at the end!)
- Drink more “fun” water! It’s important to drink a plenty of water especially in the summer when you’re more prone to dehydration. I like to make infused water mocktails to make water more exciting and delicious and only adding 20 calories or less. Buy some fresh fruits, slice them up and add to your water. My favorite combinations are peaches and strawberries, strawberries and mint or cucumber and watermelon and you’ll want to drink it all day in fun infusers like these from the Ball® brand.
- Eat many small meals. When you eat smaller portions more frequently, your metabolic rate tends to be higher (meaning you can burn calories more easily). I always tell my clients to eat 5-6 small meals a day that are packed with nutrients, including a snack in between each meal with something like a Cookie Dough Balance Bar® which will keep you full longer and help satisfy your appetite. Balance Bar® is also a great snack to put in your purse or gym bag so you always have a nutritious snack on-hand and can avoid making those bad snack choices at that last minute and when on the go.
“Balance Bar offers over 20 varieties of bars based on the 40-30-30 nutrition principle – a proven formula developed by scientists to help maintain your blood sugar levels already within a normal range. They help fill you up and give you energy that lasts through your workouts and daily activities.”
I personally always eat half of a nutrition bar before I go running and now I think I am set for a few weeks! If you’d like to win everything you see above, plus a variety of Balance Bars, enter the giveaway below. Good luck and make sure you check out Balance Bar’s website for the 30-minute workouts, healthy eating tips and learn more about multiple social media giveaways on their social media networks.
THE GIVEAWAY!!
(open to residents within the United States only)
Disclosure: I was provided the products as shown above to help promote this Summer Shape-Up Challenge. I was not paid for this post and all opinions expressed here are 100% my own.
This looks amazing! Love Ball jars. Great company.
playing tennis and swimming are my summer shape up routines
Love the Ball jars! We have a selection of each size in our kitchen for everyday use. I love the featured infusers! A must try. Thanks for sharing!
I love the idea of fruit infused water on the go. Looks so refreshing!!! The mason jars are cute too. Thanks for the summer exercise tips as well.
I have been walking 2 miles every morning.
I’m back to enter the giveaway! I’m summer workout of choice is walking/running at the lake!
My summer workout routine is lifting weights and cycling.
I walk our neighborhood in the summer!
I try to get to the gym a few times a week while the kids are out of school. I like the elliptical and weight machines.
Trying to get it in when I can – sometimes that just means running around the yard with my kids, but thankful for that!
I swim and play outside with the kids
The fruit flavored waters seem so refreshing. I love them. Summer is a great season, but I can’t stand the heat! I actually like almost everything else about it though, -fun times, vacationing, relaxing, and creating memories.
I try to be active outside as often as possible during the summer, walking instead of driving if possible, etc. I also drink a lot of water. Infusing it with fruit and herbs helps me drink more. Love this mason jar infuser!
Tip: consistency! Even just 10 minutes of workout a day will make you feel better. 🙂
This is a great giveaway! I’ve recently started focusing on how I eat and taking better care of myself.
I love the cute little jar! I am prego so workouts have been a challenge. I walk as much as I can and lift weights.
I lock all my electronics up for the weekend. Hard at first but I got used to it. I will move from room to room every hour. Try to walk my dog two to three times per day. Gardening has helped as well as it is something I enjoy it does not seem like I am exercising.
In the summer I try to shoot for morning runs and some lap swimming at the outdoor pool. Otherwise a nice evening stroll with the boyfriend is also added frequently in the summer which we usually skip when it’s winter.
I just came across your site and I love it!!
I like to take walks in the evening once the sun has gone down.
i go to the gym every morning
I walk a lot more in summer.
I do a long walk and then do an hour of yoga. I try not to set too high of a goal because with busy schedules, it can’t always be done. I feel I can do a walk and yoga, and if there is extra time, I can do more of a workout.
I walk four miles a day with my puppy & kids, fit in an hour of elliptical time – 3 days a week and do zumba and strength exercises at home 3 days a week… this summer I’m trying barre workouts – they are hard but great for your body and mind!
I’ve given up my daily soda and am know drinking water w/fresh lemon juice squeezed in and I’m swimming laps almost daily