Turns out you can have your bikini body and eat cake, too.
It’s a common summer dilemma. You want to look sleek in your swimsuit when those sunny days come — but tempting, sinful summer treats surround you. What can you do about the ubiquitous ice cream, hamburgers, and fried fair food?
Well, according to British Brown, Director of Development for Onvo Whole Body Health, there’s only one thing to do – indulge! The Bellevue-based wellness company’s mission is to “help people identify how food affects their life — both in the moment and over time.”
This means that if you want a sweet treat — eat! Just consume consciously — make sure it’s something you really enjoy, not something you’re eating just because it’s there.
Here’s more good news: Onvo advocates not counting calories. That’s right, we’ll say it again. Don’t count calories. Brown says there’s no need to “measure or dissect food” as long as you’re eating real, whole foods and avoiding the processed, packaged products marketed as healthy.
Now, you might be wondering how you’re expected to look good on the sand after indulging in “junk food” with no concern for calories. The answer is not as complicated as you might think. Onvo continually strives to simplify our understanding of what it means to be healthy – and the company advocates three simple steps during the summer months.
First, eat when you’re hungry. It sounds simple, but here’s the catch — eat only when you’re hungry. This step could take more effort than you realize. It involves forcing yourself to forget “specific meal times,” in order to listen to your body.
The second step is to drink water. Often, we mistake the onset of dehydration for hunger — especially in the warm summer months. Brown says this is important for Seattleites, since “we’re not used to the heat when the sun does come out.” Looks like you have a new accessory for all your summer outfits — a water bottle.
The final step to wellness is to eat more fruits and vegetables. Sure, you’ve heard it from your mother since you were two — but perhaps she was even wiser than you thought. Filling up on produce (instead of processed foods) gives you more bang for your buck. Summer is also a great time to stock up on seasonal produce because you have an array of options — all in their prime. Need another incentive? Fruits and veggies are naturally filled with water, so you’ll stay hydrated as you nourish your body. Many of them are also antioxidants, so eating them will benefit your skin. What’s not to love?
These simple suggestions will help, but you really only need to make one change: your frame of mind. Onvo believes true health isn’t found in a fad diet or quick fix; it comes down to your lifestyle. If you’re honoring your hunger, Brown says, “eating becomes fun again.” Especially since you don’t need to feel guilty about that ice cream.
Onvo Whole Body Health | 10838 Main St., Bellevue | (425) 646-1011
