` summer sun don't leave us now that it's only just begun `.

This blog is only moderately fitness-related; it's more about how happy the sunshine makes me (I truly believe that happiness is a huge part of being healthy)!

Today, for the first time in OVER A MONTH (!!) the sun came out for more than an hour and the temperature exceeded 20°C. While I didn't get too much chance to go out and enjoy it (it was about 3:30pm by the time it got nice), I did go out a little early to get the bus and caught some extra sunshine (wearing sunscreen, of course!) It's been a long time coming. We still haven't had a full day of sun, and it has literally rained every single day for at least part of the day, for the past 35 consecutive. It's got me really stoked for the summer and all the fun outdoorsy stuff that comes with it. I generally just FEEL better in the summer; I'm sure most people do, but I find I am truly my happiest when it's warm and sunny, regardless of any other factors in my life.

This summer is going to be even more fantastic than usual because I have a steady job and some really amazing people to spend it with - for the first summer in about 5 years, I have a boyfriend who will be around for the summer, an amazing new group of friends and tons of plans for things to do! And hopefully chances to catch up with old friends as well, it seems like most of that group has moved or will be moving in the next few weeks - all to the same area of Ontario, coincidentally. I miss them, but I know that that is what happens when everyone grows up and finishes university!

Now on to something relevant. One of my biggest struggles with my lifestyle is my eating habits. I have never really paid too much attention to what I put into my body, but a friend of mine has been paying super close attention to nutritional info on the things she eats, and it got me curious about exactly what it is I put into my body on a regular basis. I know my sodium intake is iffy, purely on account of the amount of processed crap I eat. Anyway, my friend sent me the link to a really neat website, Lose It, designed to help people lose weight, that you just put in what you consumed for the day and it calculates the calories and (for most things) other nutritional values - fat, sodium, etc. You can also enter in your exercise for the day - from straight up working out to things like housework and walking the dog. It subtracts the amount of calories you burn exercising from your total consumed, to help you keep track of your goals on a daily basis.

Now, I am well aware, as I've stated before, that I do not need to lose weight. I've actually gained weight (from 104lbs when I started this journey to 112lbs now) in a healthy way through toning and such. But a huge part of being healthy is what you put into your body, and anything that makes it easier for me to a) keep track of what I eat and b) hold myself accountable for the things I consume that I shouldn't, the easier it will be for me to get and stay healthy.

I still haven't gotten around to posting my turkey burger recipe. I will do that soon, I promise!