Hit 'Refresh' on Springtime Nutrition and Fitness

By Ayotunde Adeyeri, MD, FASMBS

When you do anything day-in and day-out, it can sometimes feel a little stagnant.

So as we welcome a bright new season, and the days are lighter earlier and later, it’s a perfect time to freshen up your nutrition and work-out regime.

If you’ve been using the elliptical or stair climber at the gym all winter, head over to Holmdel Park and challenge yourself to a brisk hike instead.

Thinking too much about food lately? After dinner, take a walk around the block with your partner or friend and talk about your day (electronics free). Doing so will get your mind off food and feed your soul.

Here are some of my recommendations to help seasonally refresh your personal lifestyle strategy--just in time for spring 2016.

Seek out fresh “real” food

“Clean eating” tastes better than boxed food any day. Keep an eye out for the re-opening of your local New Jersey farmers’ markets and stock up. I’m also seeing more freestanding produce stores opening around town (could it be there is truly an uptick in demand?) They often have great prices on your favorite fruits and vegetables so stock up and freeze what you can’t use right away.

Change up your exercise routine

If you belong to a fitness center with a pool, dive in for a change instead of taking your usual class. Walk along the beach in lieu of your same old neighborhood route. Many of our bariatric weight loss patients have developed a love of outdoor biking. Start slowly and enjoy the scenery. Surprise yourself—you may not think you are an ‘exercise class’ person but many of our patients—yes men too—are having a ball doing Zumba.

Get cooking

Freshen up your regular meal repertoire, even if it’s just a new side dish or a different take on chicken. Try roasting apples, plums or pears for a warm but sweet dessert option. Find a blog or cookbook that offers tasty but good-for-you recipes that you, your family and guests can also enjoy.

Try something new

One of the great benefits of living here in central New Jersey is that you can be in the city, the country, the mountains or the ocean in a matter of minutes.

Have you been meaning to try painting or see a live performance every now and then? Stop at that park you’ve been driving by for years. Perhaps you’ll discover a new fitness path. Give your mind something new to see and smell

Breathe in the fresh air of a new destination for a change of pace.

Nurture your mental and physical health

The start of a new season is the perfect opportunity to renew, refresh and reinvigorate your mind, body and soul.

By being mentally and physically healthy, you’ll be in top form to enjoy many bright days ahead.

About Dr. Adeyeri

Practicing in central New Jersey, Dr. Adeyeri serves as medical director at Sterling Surgicare in Holmdel; medical director of the Institute for Weight Loss at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge; and co-medical director of Central Jersey Bariatrics in Freehold. He is also on staff at Bayshore Community Hospital and CentraState Medical Center. He can be reached at Sterling Surgicare by calling (732) 217-3897 or SterlingSurgicare.com.