Food & Fitness: Mix it up

A guest post by our friends at ELM Street Nutrition

If it is a possibility for you, I encourage you to incorporate as much variation throughout each month when it comes to both food and fitness.

I often fall into a rut when it comes to food. It becomes too easy to eat the same breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the week…especially when I am short on time. While this is certainly fine because I am fueling my body with nutrient dense foods, I often just go through the motions when it comes to eating, and realize I’m not actually enjoying the plate in front of me. We also benefit much more from eating the widest variety of foods in order to soak up the full range of nutrients available to us.

The same goes for fitness – when we fall into workout routines over the long run, our fitness level plateaus. In order to continue to increase fitness levels and get the maximum benefits from the sweat we put in, it’s important to mix it up and keep our bodies guessing.

Have fun with trying new fitness and foods! Not only will you decrease boredom and burnout, but your body will thank you too. Summer is a perfect time for this.

Some seasonal food & fitness variations I am looking forward to this summer:

1. Grilling – Anything and everything on the grill just tastes better. Even simple veggies and fruits like corn on the cob, pineapple slices, and portobello mushrooms.

2. SUSHI – I crave sushi when it’s hot out. My newest favorite maki roll includes Yellowfin tuna, avocado, jalapeno, and mango. Swap in brown rice, and pair with some steamed edamame and a bowl of juicy cherries.

3. Eat more fresh fruit – Watermelon,strawberries, and cherries never tasted so good.

4. Try a new fitness class – If you are lucky enough to live in a city like Chicago where there are TONS of workout studios, make it your mission to take new classes. Next up on my list: Revolution Spinning in Evanston. So many fun looking spin options!

5. Join a summer sports league! I am loving Monday night basketball with the Chicago Sport and Social Club. With refs and real rules, it feels like I'm right back in high school…almost.

6. Get those around you pumped to try new foods and workouts too. A support system is crucial and highly effective for creating sustainable change. Cook a new nutritious recipe with a friend. Kick off a healthy summer with your co-workers through an in-office workout session with our friends over at Healthify.

7. Take your workout outside! Soak up that Vitamin D and fresh air. I absolutely love running in the summer time and enjoy exploring new routes. Trail running anyone?