3 Ways To Get Summer-Ready From The Inside Out, According To A.A Ambassador Bianca Melas

The Pilates instructor and naturopath spills her top tips to set you up for the season — and beyond.

There’s something about summer. The sun. The air — the urge to get outside and live our best lives.

And while we tend to focus on physical fitness, the reality is that getting ‘summer-ready’ is just as much about our minds — and no one knows this better than AJE ATHLETICA Ambassador Bianca Melas.

So, to help you feel your best from the inside out, Bianca, a certified Pilates instructor and naturopath, shares her top three tips for finding balance in summer — and how you can keep that feeling all year round.

THE A.A REPORT: As a Pilates instructor and naturopath, talk us through the ‘mind-body connection’. What is it exactly, and how does it work?

Pilates is all about the connection between the body and the mind through breath, control, and precision of movement. By connecting our body and mind together, we are not only strengthening neural pathways from the brain to our muscles, but we are becoming more aligned and in tune with how our body is feeling.

Through the connection of the body and mind, we can engage muscles more effectively in Pilates. As a naturopath, this is also important. For me, it’s a sense of empowerment: knowing how my body feels, understanding the signs it shows me — especially when stressed — and giving me an overall sense of connection and grounding.

What are your top tips for getting your mind and body summer-ready?

1. Support with nutrition

Summer usually means a lot more socialising, eating out and the occasional drinks with loved ones. I always ensure I am supporting my body with both naturopathic and nutritional tools. For example, if I know I'll be going out, I make sure I have my electrolytes, B vitamins and liver support to help my body's detoxification processes.

2. Stick to a routine

Even though my schedule may change over the summer months, it's vital for my well-being that I stick to my exercise routine. It keeps me grounded and feeling strong in both body and mind.

3. Wear sunscreen

As I get older, sun protection is something I am now so mindful of! Especially being here in Australia, where our sun is so strong. Stocking up on my favourite low-tox, Aussie sunscreen brands ensures I am prepped and ready.

What do you wish more people considered before starting their prep to get ready for summer?

Society makes us feel as though we need to look or be a certain way for summer, and that all the training and healthy eating needs to begin before this summer break.

My hope is that, instead of focusing on how we need to look in summer, we should instead create and build healthy habits into our everyday lives, so we are always feeling our best mentally.

For example, instead of thinking ‘hot girl walks’ only happen in summer, why not keep up walks throughout the year? We already know how good we feel after them, but do we also know just how beneficial they are for our well-being and mental health? Walking outside gives us time spent in nature (hello, lower cortisol) and we are also exposed to sunshine (hello, vitamin D).

As a Pilates instructor and personal trainer, what are your favourite looks from AJE ATHLETICA’s latest collection to work out in, and why?

For working out, I love the contoured fit and feel of the matching triple-stitched tank, long sleeve top and bike shorts. The Contrast Layered Crop Top 380 is great as well, especially with the hooded cropped puffer in the same colour thrown over the top after a session.

For people who struggle to stay motivated throughout the season, what advice would you give?

Try to establish a routine or ritual that you can stick by. Work towards easy, attainable goals that don't leave you feeling disappointed when you don't reach them. Setting yourself up to move first thing in the morning is always an easy way to ensure you get movement in. Always remember, you'll never regret a workout!

Finally, what’s next for you? What are you excited about this coming summer?

Summer is my favourite season. I love spending time at the beach and surrounded by loved ones. This year, however, my husband and I are off on an adventure to Japan! So we will be switching the Aussie sun for some snow — very excited to explore!