With summer well underway, the long days and warm temperatures are perfect for enjoying a BBQ or picnic with family and friends.

Summer is also the ideal time to move your fitness routine outside. If you didn’t have a winter fitness, routine that’s OK too. Now is the perfect time to start to be active again.

Instead of taking your kids to the park and watching them play, join in the fun with them. Set up a circuit consisting of jumping jacks, squats while tossing a ball to a partner, skipping rope and hop jumps. Start with 8 reps of each activity. Complete the circuit 3-5 times. It’s fast and fun. See how creative you can be by adding your own variations to the circuit. The circuit activity will add fun and laughter to any BBQ or picnic.

Not up for the park? Then lace up your running shoes and get out of the house for a walk or run. If running is not your thing, dust off the seat of your bicycle and take it for a spin or jump in a pool and swim laps. Don’t overdue it. Just aim for at least 20-30 minutes of moderate activity 3-5 times/week.

The hot summer weather means dressing in shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits. Revealing our bodies is motivation for many to lose weight. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise will help in achieving gradual, safe weight loss. Instead of three meals a day, try eating 5-6 smaller meals. Include plenty of fresh food, lean protein, whole grains such as Summer Fresh Multigrain Quinoa Salad available in a single serve 200g size, fruits and vegetables and plenty of water in your daily diet.

Eating more frequently will help to increase your metabolism. Always combine a complex carbohydrate ( like whole wheat bread, a Summer Fresh grain salad or pasta salad) with a protein source ( such as chicken, tuna or Summer Fresh Hummus) and keep each meal approximately 300-400 calories.

Summerfresh has a wide variety of fresh, tasty and nutritious salads and dips. Combine 125gm of salmon or chicken breast with a Summerfresh Salad for a healthy BBQ meal. Try these Summer Fresh favourites Greek Pasta Salad, Caprese Salad and Potato Bacon Casesar Salad, available in individual 300g to 400g or family size 800g to 1kg sizes. Summerfresh Dips and select salads are available in pre-packs for added convenience for your next BBQ or picnic. Look for Summerfresh product in the deli section of your local grocery store.