We’ve all heard someone say it’s time to get ‘summer body ready’ and so it’s easy to feel pressured to change in some way as the change in season approaches.
New research from Youfoodz shows that 69% of Aussies feel pressured to change their diet, fitness regime, or lifestyle to achieve the so-called summer body. And reality TV alumnus Matt Zukowski is no stranger to the pressures of looking camera-ready.
Ahead of the summer season, Matt and Youfoodz, are pushing the importance of nutritionally balanced meals and calling for Aussies to forget about getting ‘summer body ready’ and instead prioritise a ‘summer body balance’ and take more of a balanced approach to health and well being.
Find his top tips below on how to let that pressure go and focus on living a balanced life to be the best version of you.
Prioritise balanced diets, not fads
When spring rolls around, some people might feel the urge to jump into fad diets to cut calories and ‘transform’ their bodies as soon as possible ahead of summer.
Not only can this pressure to change impact your mental health, but it can be damaging physically. Fad diets rarely have the scientific evidence to back them up and can lead to exhaustion and nutritional deficiencies. In fact, Youfoodz research revealed that nearly half (49%) of Australians have avoided nutritionally balanced meals, or skipped meals all together, to achieve their perceived perfect summer look.
Instead, I would recommend focusing instead on a balanced diet that encompasses the major food groups and creates longer-term health benefits. For those who are also time poor or lack knowledge of how to make a complete meal, Youfoodz is an easy way to help you get there. Each meal is designed to be perfectly balanced with protein, carbohydrates, vegetables and healthy fats to help you meet your unique lifestyle and fitness goals. It’s healthy eating made easy and convenient, with the ready-made meals delivered straight to your door to then be reheated in just three minutes. It’s also a flexible subscription system as you can pause, skip or cancel weekly deliveries.
Cut overexercising in favour of moving your body consistently
Ramping up your exercise routine to frequent, high intensity workouts might seem like a good idea when you’re aiming for radical results. Like fad dieting, however, they rarely deliver on the promised results without risking complications.
Overexercising can lead to injury and mental fatigue. On top of this, research suggests that high levels of exercise can only do so much if you lack a balanced diet. I suggest finding a form of movement that you enjoy, whether it be walking, running, swimming, dancing, going to the gym, and setting realistic goals to keep consistent and boost those dopamine levels no matter the movement you choose to make!
Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night
On average, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night. We all know the numbers, but the impact of not getting enough sleep can be detrimental to our overall health and well being.
Research from Youfoodz revealed that nearly half (48%) of Aussies say that they notice a boost in their mental health when they have a good night’s sleep, with 26% admitting they have a poorer diet when they don’t get enough sleep.
Creating a consistent night routine, switching off devices before winding down, and avoiding excessive caffeine intake can all help with your sleep. From getting enough sleep every night to using nutritionally balanced meals, introducing balance in your life can help you stay consistent in your habits, without restriction and help you be the best version of yourself.
Key Facts:
YouFoodz research found that 69% of Aussies feel pressured to change their diet, fitness regime, or lifestyle to achieve the so-called summer body.
Nearly half (49%) of Australians have avoided nutritionally balanced meals, or skipped meals all together, to achieve their perceived perfect summer look.
Nearly half (48%) of Aussies say that they notice a boost in their mental health when they have a good night’s sleep, with 26% admitting they have a poorer diet when they don’t get enough sleep.
Matt’s tips include prioritising balanced diets, not fads, cutting over exercising in favour of moving your body consistently and getting 7-9 hours of sleep a night.
About us:
About YouFoodz
Healthy eating, made easy! Launched in 2012, Youfoodz is on a mission to create the future of food, believing every Australian deserves access to fresh, affordable and tasty food. The ever-changing menu of fresh ready-made meals, snacks and drinks can be delivered to your door. Youfoodz works with local farmers to deliver the freshest meals, guaranteed. Youfoodz meals are delivered fresh (NOT frozen), all portion & calorie-controlled, and ready to heat & eat in minutes. Youfoodz has been voted Best Food Delivery Service by ProductReview 3 years in a row, and awarded Best Rated Meal Delivery Service (2021) for variety by Finder.
