Pro Tips for Your Healthiest Summer Yet

by Natalie Alcala, Birchbox

We asked three pros for their best advice on making this your healthiest and happiest summer ever—here's what they had to say.
We asked three pros for their best advice on making this your healthiest and happiest summer ever—here's what they had to say.



For us, summer means margaritas and hammocks. But for experts in the health and wellness industry, it's the time of year to focus on toning down, shaping up, and eating right. We asked four pros for their best advice on making this your healthiest and happiest summer ever-here's what they had to say.


EXPERT: CELEBRITY NUTRITIONIST DR. LINDSEY DUNCAN
Claim to Fame: Transformed fashion designer Marc Jacobs into the super-toned health nut he is today.
Tip: Forget starting your day with oatmeal, suggests Duncan. "For a deliciously filling grab-and-go breakfast, make a protein-fruit smoothie by blending six to eight ounces of unsweetened almond milk, a half cup of rolled oats, three fresh or frozen strawberries, a half banana, and six ice cubes." When it comes to snacking, be smart. Wholesome, non-processed Larabars which are great on-the-go options. If you've just finished a workout, Duncan says to "look for carbs and protein to help the recovery and repair process." His favorite post-workout snacks: an organic banana dipped in almond butter or sunflower seed butter, and a glass of goji berry juice to prevent muscle soreness.

Related:Jumpstart Your Wellness (In Just 20 Minutes A Day!)

EXPERT: PRO SURFER LISA ANDERSON
Claim to Fame: Part of Roxy's pro team
Tip: Summer is time to simplify your routine. "I try to stay away from blow-dryers in the summer," says Anderson. "To keep my hair hydrated, I use plenty of leave-in conditioners and moistening masks." She's also a stickler for sunscreen. "The first thing I do every morning is apply different layers of clear and skin-tone sunscreens for maximum coverage. After the beach, I thoroughly rinse it all off to avoid breakouts, then I moisturize."

Related:Get Beachy Summer Hair Without The Damage

EXPERT: FITNESS MANAGER, KEITH IRACE
Claim to Fame: Over 20 years experience; Group Fitness Regional Manager for the Equinox Clubs in California
Tip: Target your trouble spots. To tone flabby arms, Hudson suggests doing a squat with a bicep curl and overhead shoulder press using three to five pound dumbbells. To tone legs and glutes, try the side-to-side leap squat keeping legs together. For those all-important abs, Irace swears by the tummy twist. Start by sitting on the ground and lift legs to establish a balanced V-sit position. "Move your right hand off your right leg to twist and reach behind you as far as you can. Return hand to the leg and repeat on the left side. Twist six times on each side," says Irace

EXPERT: CELEBRITY TRAINER JOEY HUDSON
Claim to Fame: His clients include stars like Shannyn Sossamon and Sarah Roemer
Tip: "There's no secret exercise, cleanse or crash diet that does it all. You need variety to succeed in health and fitness, so mix it up and try yoga, Pilates, spinning, and a killer bootcamp class," says Hudson. Although women tend to focus more on the lower body, Hudson says the upper body needs love, too. Multiple-joint exercises like a squat with a shoulder press for 15 repetitions increases the metabolism more than a standard squat.

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