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Summer’s coming up fast and everyone knows it’s the season of fun in the sun. This year that will likely include face masks and social distancing, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting your mind and body in a place where you can make the most of the gorgeous warm weather after weeks (or months!) of sheltering in place.
Though so many people equate having a good summer with achieving the body of their dreams, looking and feeling your best actually goes much deeper than that. Feeling confident in yourself and the lifestyle choices you’re making is the real key to enjoying your life, no matter the season. That’s why this is the perfect time to get set up with a program like Noom. Though it does offer lots of support and tips when it comes to losing weight, Noom is more focused on using cognitive behavioral therapy to shift habits and mindsets. Not only does Noom come up with personalized plans and offer individual coaching to help you meet goals designed specifically for you, but everything Noom recommends is sustainable long term. The changes to your daily life, eating habits and outlook are delivered in such a way that you’ll feel the positive benefits for years and years to come.
Once you’ve mastered the inner confidence piece, you’ll find lots of other things fall into place more easily. Here are a few more ways to help ensure you look and feel your best this summer… and beyond!
1. Treat Your Hair Right
Your hair routine shouldn’t stay the same throughout the entire year. The sun, humidity, and other elements all change the way your mane looks and feels. If your hair gets extra frizzy in the summer, try washing it less. Letting the oil build up might actually be a good thing, as it can tame out-of-control curls. It also might be the opposite: Extra product like smoothing serum, sea salt spray, or leave-in conditioner can all help your hair look its best during the summer months. Play around with your routine and see what works best for you. And even with all that, don’t freak out if your hair still seems duller or more brittle than usual. The external layer of your hair, called the cuticle, can break down in the sun. Simply pulling it back into a ponytail is a quick and easy place to start, and will also help keep you cool.
2. Take Care of Your Face
As we all should know by now, SPF is important all year round. It’s especially essential in the summer, though, when sun rays are at their strongest. But in order to stay safe, you need to apply the sunscreen in the right way. Use a formula with an SPF of at least 30, and reapply an ounce of it every two hours. (It still won’t provide 100% protection from UV rays, but even a lotion with a much higher SPF can’t promise that.) And consider going easier on the makeup than normal. Increased heat equals increased sweat, which changes the way products react with your skin and cause pores to get more clogged than normal. For women who do want more coverage, products advertised as workout-proof are a good place to start. If your skin does start to act up, a facial with extractions and a deep cleansing can help.
3. Eat Well
Everyone wants to have a beach-ready body for the summer, but crash dieting isn’t the way to get there. As mentioned above, Noom uses cognitive-behavioral therapy and nutritional education to help create sustainable lifestyle changes. Logging what you eat helps you become more aware of the choices you tend to make, which can then help you move towards healthier options. Since it doesn’t limit you to specific foods, you can still enjoy all your favorite summer treats like picnics, barbecue, and cold treats. Even better, because Noom is a digital program, you can use it anywhere whether you’re sheltering in place at your own home or somewhere else with family. No matter where you are, Noom’s expert advice and coaches are always with you.
4. Focus on Your Feet
We all love a pretty pair of sandals, but they do present a problem: Your feet, hidden by booties and sneakers all winter long, are suddenly free for all the world to see. The first way to prep for summer by making sure to moisturize your feet every day. Not only will it keep your feet looking fresh and smooth, but it’ll also reduce the chances of cracked and dry skin, which is especially problematic in the summer, when open shoes can lead to little bits of debris getting stuck in the cracks and causing infection. Using a pumice stone after you shower will also help minimize super dry heels. Keep your toenails filed (and painted if you’d like), and make sure to use sunscreen on your feet when you’re wearing sandals.
