It’s the busy, silly social season, but Anytime Fitness personal trainer Levi Quitta emphasises balancing “me time” with “we time” during the summer holidays.

“It’s important to make the time to prioritise your own health even when you get busy,” he said.

Levi Quitta gets the blood pumping with a bicep curl. Photo / Tom Eley

Given people’s busy schedules, there is little time for the gym, but there are still plenty of family activities for the summer.

“Getting out and playing sports with friends and family. Golf and a bit of basketball are definitely a favourite.”

Your local park or beach around Tauranga and Mount Maunganui was excellent for getting into the sun and pumping blood, he said.

“We are spoilt for choice on walking tracks. Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa Hills are favourites of mine.”

Levi Quitta gets a deadlift in while working towards his summer holiday goals. Photo / Tom Eley

For those counting calories, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise four to five times a week will help, but Quitta warns it comes with a caveat.

“The main governor for weight gain and weight loss is energy balance. Calories you consume versus calories you burn,” Quitta said.

A meal plan also helps, as does planning out what you will eat before you eat, along with multiple tools available to help track everything.

“Getting a food scale and weighing food you are eating is a sure, measured way to tracking calories and portions,” he said.

“There are also many tools online you can look at to separate your plate into the types of food you are going to eat.”

There was nothing wrong with a few sweet treats more than you usually would, but not making it a habit was the key to good health during the holiday season, he said.

“If you can maintain a well-balanced approach to eating and exercising during the festive season, you will be setting yourself up for success.”

- SunLive