Cut Out Sugar
Stand Up More
Standing desks at work are all the rage, but the science is still unclear about whether it makes for healthier work (or, in some cases, does more harm than good). In any case, it's not a weight-loss silver bullet. However, one small change, if you want to enter summer being more health-minded, is to stand more at work. Yes, try a standing desk. But also get up from your desk and walk around at least once an hour. If you can give up your chair and stand during meetings, even better.
Sleep More Now
Want an easy (and, technically, lazy) way to look better this summer? Go to bed.
Studies show that getting more and enough sleep improves our attractiveness. Start now for that fresh summer look. And find ways, even after late-night barbecues and walks on the beach, to get enough sleep most days during the summer.
Try Intermittent Fasting
There are a lot of ways to do intermittent fasting and everyone's mileage varies. But one option is to eat within a certain time frame every day. So, for example, if your eating window is eight hours, you have your first food every day around 11 a.m. and then make sure you've finished dinner by 7 p.m. Intermittent fasting enthusiasts credit the hours when they're not eating with jumpstarting weight loss and also for, counterintuitively, giving them huge boosts of energy.
Take on a 30-Day Challenge
Sure, you could join a gym. But if you're not already going, and you're not super enthusiastic, now is the time to try something else. How about a 30-day challenge based on your target areas? For example, a 30-day plank challenge for a stronger core or a 30-day push-ups challenge for stronger, more toned arms? It starts easy and gets ever more difficult. It's an easy commitment—only 30 days. And less than 10 minutes of your time each day (10 seconds alone on the first day!). Plus, you don't even have to change your clothes.
Eat More Veggies
A few years ago, a study found that just by eating more vegetables, its research subjects were deemed more attractive—especially when they ate vegetables that contained a lot of beta-carotene. The build-up of this orange-hued antioxidant gave their skin a sun-kissed glow. The added vitamins and water probably didn't hurt, either.
Commit to Sunscreen
A small change with big results for the summer is to commit to sunscreen now. You should be wearing it year-round anyway. But if you're not, now is the time to find one you like that doesn't react poorly with your skin type. Get it worked into your morning routine and find a regular way to reapply later in the afternoon (or more if you work in or near the sun or have a sunny commute).
