Enjoy all the Summer Feels with Health in Mind with Fitness Expert Julie Germaine
By Julie Germaine
Summer has finally arrived, and the long days filled with warm sunshine, backyard barbecues, beach outings, and weekends at the lake are some of the things Manitobans look forward to all winter long. After months of bundling up and spending time indoors, summer offers a refreshing opportunity to get outside, reconnect with family and friends, and enjoy an active lifestyle without it feeling like work.
As a fitness professional, I often see clients become especially focused on their health goals leading up to summer. Whether it’s preparing for a vacation, a wedding, a reunion, or simply feeling more confident in seasonal clothing, many people view summer as the finish line for their fitness journey. While I completely understand the motivation behind that mindset, I also think summer can serve an even greater purpose.
Instead of treating summer as the reward after months of dieting and exercise, consider it the season to celebrate what your healthy body can do. The goal isn’t just to look good: it’s to feel energetic, capable, and present enough to enjoy all the experiences summer has to offer.
One of my favourite photos from summer is of my daughter and me splashing in the water at the beach, laughing and enjoying a warm afternoon together.
What I love most about that memory isn’t how we looked in swimsuits. It’s the fact that we had the energy to run, play, swim, and create lasting memories together.
Good health gives us the ability to fully participate in life’s special moments, and that is something worth pursuing year-round.
Here are some practical ways to enjoy everything summer has to offer while keeping your health goals on track.
Adapt Your Workouts to the Season
One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing exercise must always happen inside a gym. Summer offers countless opportunities to stay active while enjoying the outdoors.
Personally, one of my favourite summer activities is rollerblading along the beautiful pathways at Birds Hill Provincial Park, just a short drive north of Winnipeg. During much of the year, weather conditions make rollerblading difficult or impossible, so I happily take advantage of every opportunity to get outside and enjoy the trails.
Many Manitobans use the park for walking, hiking, biking, swimming, and family outings. If you haven’t visited nearby Pineridge Hollow, it’s another fantastic destination that combines great food, outdoor activities, and family-friendly fun.
Remember that movement doesn’t have to look the same every season. Summer is the perfect time to embrace activities that may not fit into your routine during the colder months.
Take Your Fitness Outside
If you’re spending weekends at the lake, camping, or travelling, look for opportunities to move throughout the day. Go for a bike ride with friends. Swim with your kids. Walk along the shoreline. Explore hiking trails. Play beach volleyball. Toss a football around the yard.
These activities may not feel like structured exercise, but they still burn calories, strengthen your body, improve cardiovascular health, and support your overall well-being.
One of the healthiest mindset shifts you can make is recognizing that fitness isn’t confined to a workout program. An active lifestyle is often more sustainable – and more enjoyable – than chasing perfection.
Beat the Heat
Summer exercise comes with its own challenges, particularly during heat waves. To stay safe and comfortable, plan outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day.
Early mornings and evenings are often ideal times for walks, runs, bike rides, and outdoor workouts. You’ll avoid the strongest UV rays and reduce the risk of overheating.
Whenever possible, seek shaded areas such as tree-lined pathways, parks, or covered recreation spaces. Wearing light-coloured clothing, applying sunscreen, and staying well hydrated can make a tremendous difference in both comfort and performance.
Many people underestimate how much fluid they lose through sweat. Keep a water bottle nearby and drink consistently throughout the day, especially if you’re spending time in the sun.
Enjoy Summer Treats Without Guilt
Summer is filled with delicious seasonal foods and special occasions. Ice cream stands, patio dinners, family barbecues, cottage weekends, and festival treats are all part of the experience.
The good news is that healthy living doesn’t require eliminating these pleasures.
Instead of adopting an all-or-nothing approach, choose the treats that matter most to you and enjoy them fully. If homemade pie at the family cabin is a favourite tradition, savour it without guilt. If a frozen treat at the beach creates lasting memories with your children, enjoy every bite.
Health is built through consistent habits over time, not through perfection on any single day. A balanced lifestyle allows room for both nutritious choices and enjoyable indulgences.
Make Memories, Not Just Goals
While it’s wonderful to have fitness goals, don’t become so focused on numbers that you miss the experiences happening around you.
Summer is short. The beach days, camping trips, evening walks, family vacations, and backyard gatherings pass quickly. Your health journey should support these moments – not distract you from them.
The healthiest people I know aren’t necessarily the ones following perfect meal plans or never missing a workout. They’re the people who have found balance. They move their bodies regularly, nourish themselves well most of the time, and fully engage in the activities and relationships that bring them joy.
This summer, challenge yourself to focus on what your healthy body allows you to do. Run through the sprinkler. Explore a new trail. Ride your bike. Play with your kids. Laugh with your friends.
Those are the moments that matter most.
