Summer is here, and it's time to embrace the season's adventures while staying healthy and energized. Whether you're hitting the trains, traveling, or simply enjoying the sunshine, these wellness tips from Ascent will help you thrive all summer long. 

In our home state of Colorado, the outdoor activities are endless, and we seize every opportunity to embrace them. But no matter where you are, there's plenty of summer fun to be had outside the gym, allowing you to fully enjoy the long, yet feeling days of the season. Here's what we're doing this summer to stay healthy so we can continue putting in the hard work & pursuing our passions.  

Hydration 

It might seem obvious, but staying hydrated is crucial, especially when you're exercising outdoors in the heat. Sweating leads to rapid loss of essential electrolytes, increasing your risk of dehydration. Always keep water with you and replenish your hydration and energy with an electrolyte powder.

 Electrolyte powders help replace the minerals you lose through sweat, keeping your fluids balanced and your body performing optimally. Simply put, you don't want to be caught mid trail run this summer without electrolytes on hand. 

Our Clean Hydration + Energy drink mix serves up 400mg of electrolytes, plus and added kick of 100mg of caffeine to help jumpstart your day or enhance your focus and motivation during a tough workout. 

Nutrition

Fuel your body for summer adventures by prioritizing nutrition with local, seasonal product. Fresh fruits and vegetables are abundant in the summer, and farmers markets are a great source. For example, we love adding local Colorado peaches to our favorite smoothie recipes when they are in season. Add Vanilla Protein Powder or our Limited Edition Lemon Sorbet Whey Protein Powder to boost your protein intake and help keep you satiated.

Cooking at home ensures you know exactly what's in your meals, promoting clean eating. Plus, there's nothing like the simple pleasure of eating a home cooked meal al fresco on a summer night. 

Prep for Summer Travels 

Summer often means being on the go, making it challenging to meet to meet your protein goals. Our convenient blender bottle is the perfect solution. Add a scoop of protein powder to water after a workout or between activities. Shake and enjoy. Each scoop of Ascent 100% Whey contains 25 grams of clean protein and 5.5 grams of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) to keep you on track. 

But protein powder isn't just for drinks and smoothies. Whip up a batch of Mini Protein Pancakes or Energy Bites and bring them on your next road trip or camping excursion for a protein-packed snack that's satisfying and nutritious. 

Sun Safety 

No summer wellness guide is complete without mentioning sun protection. When you're outdoors all day, physical coverings are your best defense, but broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential when shade isn't available. Broad spectrum sunscreen shields your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, the two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can lead to premature aging and skin cancer with excessive exposure. To ensure effective protection, the American Academy of Dermatology suggest opting for sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

We hope you stay healthy, energized, and ready for all of summer's adventures with these wellness tips. Shop our summertime essentials to fuel your fitness journey and make the most of the season. 

Resources:

1. (“Dietary Protein Recommendations And the Prevention of Sarcopenia | Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care”, 2009)
2. (“Practical Applications of Whey Protein in Supporting Skeletal Muscle Maintenance, Recovery, and Reconditioning | Journal of Animal Science”, 2021)
3. (“Supplemental Protein in Support of Muscle Mass and Health: Advantage Whey | Journal of Food Science”, 2015)
4. (“The Impact of Protein Quality on the Promotion of Resistance Exercise-Induced Changes in Muscle Mass | Nutrition & Metabolism”, 2016)
5. (“Health Benefits of Whey Protein: A Review | Journal of Food Science and Engineering”, 2012)
6. (“Muscle-Related Effect of Whey Protein and Vitamin D3 Supplementation Provided Before or After Bedtime in Males Undergoing Resistance Training | Nutrients”, 2022)