You might think that the first of the year is the best time for motivation to get fit and get healthy, but we’re here to let you in on a little secret. Although January 1 is a good time to commit, when it comes to getting in shape almost effortlessly, June 1 is better than January 1 because of one simple thing - summer! Unlike winter when it’s dark and cold outside, summer is full of fresh fruits and veggies, long days filled with light and numerous opportunities to get moving whether you’re on the road or not.

So how can you make the most of summer to feel good and stay motivated while you’re travelling for work or for pleasure? Follow these five tips!

1. Be a tourist. Next time you’re on a business trip, book your flight a few hours earlier than you normally would or stay an extra day longer, and sign up for a running or walking tour of the city you’re in. Groups like City Running Tours welcome runners of all levels and show you a city in a whole new way. This allows you to turn business into pleasure and a run into a summery learning experience!

2. Drink up. Because of its warmer temperatures, summer requires that you hydrate even more than usual, especially if you’re facing jet lag or exercising outdoors. Instead of chugging down plain water that can, let’s face it, get a little boring sip after sip, spruce up your H2O with a few lemon, lime or cucumber slices, or even a strawberry or blueberry or two. Most restaurants and food courts will have lemon on hand, so don’t be afraid to ask, and be sure to carry a reusable water container with you at all times - business travel or not!

3. Make the most of the extra daylight. Unlike winter when you can barely squeeze enough hours out of the day to get a workout while it’s light outside, summer is much more forgiving. So get up a little earlier than normal or forgo the business cocktail hour for a brisk walk around town. Soak up that vitamin D!

4. Get fresh. Perhaps the best part of summer is the variety of fresh, ripe foods! From berries and tomatoes to green peppers and zucchini, there is no shortage of tasty, low-cal eats. Get online and find a local farmers’ market in your hometown or the city you’re visiting. Then walk to it and stock up for your whole trip. Fresh produce can make a great souvenir or airplane snack if your trip is a short one!

5. Protect yourself. While there are many great things about summer, sunburn and skin damage are never fun! So when you’re out there being active, make sure to always slather on the sunscreen, rock your sunglasses and, if you’ll be out for more than 30 minutes, consider wearing a hat and frequenting the shade. And, as always, when working out or just walking around, always listen to your body and take a break if it’s too hot or too humid to work out. Heck, you can use it as an excuse to stop in somewhere and buy a loved one a souvenir!

And, of course, any time you commit is the time to do it, but why wait? Summer is here!