My "More & Less & Must" List for welcoming Summer // Better Living

Brigitte Bardot sunbathing
There is only a week left for April to end and then I have a whole month (May that is) to detox myself for Summer. I would like to share with you my "More & Less & Must" list, which I created when in my early twenties. I've been doing this for almost a decade now and it does work for me. I feel and look better, at least that's what I think, and I enjoy my summertime. It is not that I stop or start doing something that I hadn't already been doing or not doing; I just increase or decrease the proportions. Read on >>>>


1. Drink MORE Water
I do drink a lot of water all year round, but when May hits the calendar, I add two extra glasses daily.
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2. Walk MORE
I fancy walking! A lot! I go shopping, to the Super Market, take short & fast walks with hubby and sometimes I create stuff-to-do outside, just to go for a walk. This time of year, that days are bigger and evenings are not as cold, it is a great opportunity to go for longer walks more often, whatever the shoes: heels, ballet flats or sneakers!

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3. Work Out MORE
I do go to the gym, but due to bad weather (rain, cold etc.) I sometimes skip it during Winter... Well, there is no excuse now. I will have to stick to my "3-days-a-week" work-out schedule to keep my body toned and fit for my shorts and mini skirts. I also decided to have a spinning lesson once a week. So excited!

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4. Eat MORE Fruit & Veggies 
Of course I eat enough of both all year, but sometimes I prefer eating three bars of chocolate or two biscuits instead of an apple or a banana. Spring and Summer is full of my favorite fruit (berries, cherries, watermelons, grapes and more), which I really enjoy to consume and feel very full and energetic.

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5. Cook MORE Often
I am a lousy and lazy cook, in fact I am horrible! I only know how to cook 2,5 meals - the half is because I always need my husband to guide me on how to finish that third meal.... still haven't learn it! Well, the truth is that I am totally capable of doing the basics, such as boiling or frying eggs, making pasta or salads, put some fillet in the grill, etc., I could do these since I was 18. I am referring to more complicated stuff. So, I decided to turn to Jamie Oliver's 30 Minute Meals. I hope that since they are short, they must also be easy, right?

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6. Eat LESS Junk
Who doesn't eat junk and I am not only referring to burgers and french fries, but anything processed and packaged. It is the time of year that hubby and I minimize ordering pizza or gyro from three times to once a week. We even managed to make our own homemade burgers that actually taste deliciously! 

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7. Use Car LESS
Since I fancy walking, I rarely use my car. I prefer taking the subway or going on foot wherever possible. Even if there is no available transportation or I am going to carry heavy things (the monthly Super Market visit) I park my car slightly far. Now that the weather is warmer, I am gonna use it even less. Who knows, maybe flowers will grow to mine too, preferably lilac and pink =)

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8. LESS Carbonated Drinks
Yes I know, that IS a hard one to pull. Warm weather makes you lust refreshments, but we have to behave ourselves. We decided it is not necessary to have soda-like drinks everyday; three times a week is more than enough. And this is how we are going to save some "space" for our Summer cocktails by the beach or at the pool bar!! 
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9. MUST Not Forget Vitamins
None of us eats as well as we should, so taking multivitamins every now and then, aside to the natural sources of vitamins (fruit, vegetables, fish etc.), only keeps us going. Don't get addicted :-P 

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10. MUST Sleep Early
The "beauty sleep" is not only about sleeping full 8 hours, but also going to bed early, let's say before midnight. This has something to do with hormones and the cell rebirth and restructure. I am not entitled to say what exactly, but you can google it! This means I should pause my research for the blog's posts at 11 p.m. and go to bed as early as possible! I found a "how-to-go-to-bed-early" guide with steps and useful tips which I am planning to follow. 

P.S. This is a long-term goal for all seasons! 

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11. MUST Treat Cellulite Daily
I am growing older and my skin is not as elastic as it used to be, which was never satisfactorily enough actually. It needs to be smoothed and supported more often and this is what I am planning to do: Scrubbing it well during shower and then applying my anti-cellulite product (cream or gel) wherever it's needed! For better results, this has to be done on a daily basis, at least that's what the specialists say. 

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12. MUST Weigh Once Every Week
I don't want to get obsessed with my weight, it can be tricky, but it is good to know how the change in our lifestyle is affecting our body. Therefore, I am planning to weigh myself every five to seven days, just to keep track. 

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Just to make this clear, so that nobody is offended or misled:
-- I am only blogging about MY personal program of changing my lifestyle for making the transition to Summer more pleasant for me and my husband
-- As said before, it is not that we stop or start doing or not doing something, we just change the frequency
-- I am not a nutritionist or a gym teacher or a doctor or any other health, body and beauty specialist
-- I am not suggesting that anyone must or must not follow this list of "Less & More & Must"
-- I really hope that you enjoyed this post and that it was a trigger for you to create your own list to welcome Summer in grace

Thanks for reading!