Summer - better or worse for eating/exercise?

scrapjen
scrapjen Posts: 387 Member
in Motivation and Support
I really thought I was going to do SO well when summer started. Without the daily duties of school carpools and helping with homework. Competing with the kids (the older boys both have Fitbits as do I ... we like to see who can get the most steps). But with all the summer stuff and the SLEEPING IN ... I'm doing ok, but not as well as I would like. I think I'm looking forward to school starting up again in a few weeks and the return to the routine.

Just wondering if summer is bad for others, or if it is a time when you can actually get more done?

Replies

  • Followingsea
    Followingsea Posts: 407 Member
    I do better in the summer, because I live in New England and thrive in warm weather.

    I basically hibernate starting in November and don't come out until April.
  • daniellemm1
    daniellemm1 Posts: 465 Member
    I'm not doing as well as I would have thought either. The summer is chock full of parties and festivals which means lots of yummy foods that I just can't resist. I have been making better choices than I had in past summers but still not as good as I would like. My workouts have been stable however I have not enjoyed them as much on the days that it is super hot. I am actually looking forward to the fall and hopefully less distractions :)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    All the same for me...I'm always crushing it.
  • klp1017
    klp1017 Posts: 95 Member
    I do better in summer. It's so much easier to eat better and exercise when you're wearing bikinis and shorts all day.
  • thistimewillbedifferent
    thistimewillbedifferent Posts: 217 Member
    I had expected things to be easier in the summer, since I wouldn't have to contend with all the ice and snow and could spend more time walking outside, but the number of temptations has been MUCH greater in the summer -- constant BBQs, friends mtg after work (or at lunch) to sit outside drinking rose (can't make this computer do the accent on the e), wkend getaways, and more. So for me, winter ended up being easier.
  • DancingMoosie
    DancingMoosie Posts: 8,619 Member
    I was worried that without the schedule, I would lose motivation and gain weight over the summer. Its actually been really good. I workout with videos mostly, and have cut back on the running. I don't have access to a treadmill or gym, so its usually too hot for running and no weight equipment. I have a pull-up bar, hand weights, do a lot of lunges and squat type exercises, circuit training, and summer is the best time to add another activity--swimming. I've really enjoyed it and will miss it once school starts up.

    Eating has been kinda hit or miss. I am trying to log every other week instead of every day. I want to be able to splurge sometimes without guilt, but also be able to know what is appropriate to eat without having to log it. And my weight is actually down, so I guess I did ok since its not too low.
  • Sweetaj6
    Sweetaj6 Posts: 8
    I get more done in the summer, but I think my situation is different. In the Winter I get depressed and find it really hard to get my butt off the couch. Plus in the summer I can't sleep in because I have to work early in the morning. I have more energy in the summer, the sun helps me stay awake & alive. Plus I workout mainly outside, so winter workouts outside for me are practically impossible since I live in Chicago, holy snow, wind & super low temps.
  • marinemom93
    marinemom93 Posts: 16 Member
    I too thought summer would be easier...and it's not! Every weekend has some party, event, camping etc. There is so much temptation each weekend. During the week I count my calories and work out. Then the weekend hits and I give in to tasty food and never find the time to exercise. I'm looking forward to fall!
  • Followingsea
    Followingsea Posts: 407 Member
    I get more done in the summer, but I think my situation is different. In the Winter I get depressed and find it really hard to get my butt off the couch. Plus in the summer I can't sleep in because I have to work early in the morning. I have more energy in the summer, the sun helps me stay awake & alive. Plus I workout mainly outside, so winter workouts outside for me are practically impossible since I live in Chicago, holy snow, wind & super low temps.

    Have you tried using a lightbox for the seasonal affective disorder?
  • bcf7683
    bcf7683 Posts: 1,653 Member
    Summer is worse for me... I stay good on eating clean, it's just harder for me to make it to the gym consistently. I try to keep it at a 3 day minimum, my regular is 5 or 6.
  • katelynal
    katelynal Posts: 114
    The summer is better for me. The weather cooperates more with playing tennis as often as possible, plus I push mow my yard for exercise. In prior years (before MFP!), I have started putting on weight in mid-fall like a mama bear going into hibernation!! NOT gonna happen this year - but it is definitely going to be more of a challenge when I can only exercise indoors and I have to fight the holiday goodies.
  • krisjohnson121
    krisjohnson121 Posts: 87 Member
    I personally love the summer. Here are some reasons why the summer is better for me:

    Watermelon
    Swimming
    Rita's water ice (sugar-free water ice and fat free soft serve)
    Grilling EVERYTHING!!!
    Being Outside
    Going to the farm (luckily we have a bunch near by)
    Farmers Markets - cheap awesome veggies and fruits
    Knowing that shorts/bathing suit is in the near future

    I definitely have found that the change of routine is tough. This summer I have been working from home which is a HUGE change for me and resulted in some weight gain right before starting MFP. Create a new routine - a Summer Routine!

    Friend me - I can help you out for the summer and you can give me some tips in the winter
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    I do better in summer. It's so much easier to eat better and exercise when you're wearing bikinis and shorts all day.


    ^ Same.
  • eevincheezburger
    eevincheezburger Posts: 163 Member
    I do SO much better in the summer, even with a weirder routine. Cold weather makes my sinuses act up. I work out in the evenings usually, when it's a little bit humid, which is so nice for my poor sinuses. Plus it just feels more natural to be sweaty when it's already hot outside.
  • _KrisMarie_
    _KrisMarie_ Posts: 146
    I do better in the summer because I'm a teacher. I still work, but only 12 hours a week, so there's a lot more time for exercise and eating at home.

    I'm back to work in a week. Wish me luck! :tongue:
  • sweetpea129
    sweetpea129 Posts: 755 Member
    I thought summer would be easier but I was wrong. We have a family party almost every single weekend. Order pizza if we are out at the park longer than expected, birthday parties, camping. I'm ready for fall.
  • scrapjen
    scrapjen Posts: 387 Member
    I'm an indoor exerciser, so the weather doesn't play a huge part in it for me. Luckily, the home gym is quite cool in the summer ... of course it's cool in the winter too, but sometimes when I find myself freezing I know I just need to hop on the elliptical for 20 minutes and I'll warm up. Looking back on previous years, I always seem to do better in the winter ...
  • liftreadphilosophize
    liftreadphilosophize Posts: 180 Member
    I'm finding myself doing much better this summer than this recent winter. The beautiful weather makes me want to move around outsides (biking and running), the fact that my husband is out of school makes his schedule more open for us going to the gym to lift together (he always kicks my *kitten* much better than I do kick my own *kitten*), and the abundance of fresh seasonal fruits and veggies (not to mention the seasonal attractiveness of grilling) makes healthy eating so easy, desirable and delicious. While I'm looking forward to fall with its fewer vacation and social gathering speed bumps, I've been really happy with how healthy my summer has been.
  • AllyCatXandi
    AllyCatXandi Posts: 329 Member
    I'm not a fan of extreme weather, but I prefer summer for the following reasons -

    * Uni isn't on in summer for four months. I don't really like this (would rather just get my degree over with!) but in terms of scheduling it's one less thing to balance. I would work 9-5, and then get my butt ot crossfit straight afterwards. And there wouldn't be any assignments that needed doing.

    * It's really effing cold here, and I'm pretty sensitive to it. 7am runs are just not happening in winter and if I am out of bed that early it's to scrape the ice off my car so I can get to work/class. I actually kind of miss it, because it was something somewhat-social (I have a few running buddies) I could do that didn't involve food.

    * It gets dark early. I'm talking 5-ish early. And on a typical day I have stuff all morning (8am class sucks) so if I wanted to exercise early I wouldn't have time to shower. I still go in the evenings, of course, but sometimes it just takes that bit more effort.

    * Winter makes it tempting to eat when you're not really hungry in the name of staying warm. Luckily, I have a love affair with tea, but some of my friends have been complaining lately about putting on weight due to having extra meals instead of snacks to warm them up.

    * I love swimming. And the beach. Granted, I live a long way from the water, but in general it seems like people are more inclined to be more socially active in warmer weather instead of having indoor pizza nights.

    * Winter makes me want to go for hearty meals. I don't want a cold salad when it's zero degrees outside! But this really hasn't been too much of an issue so long as I cook the food myself and know what's in it. I made a delicious creamy pasta the other week and felt absolutely no guilt!

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