For over a decade — yep, more than ten years — we’ve been watching the same pattern unfold like summer clockwork. June hits, the sun starts showing off, and suddenly the gym starts getting treated like a distant relative. You know the vibe — “I’ll visit when I can,” or “we’ll catch up soon!” but soon turns into September.

It’s like the popular mantra “summer bodies are made in the winter” comes with an unspoken sequel: “and then ghosted in the summer.”

And just like that, the energy shifts. The workouts taper off. The gym goes quiet. People get that “I’ll be back in the fall” look in their eyes.

Then, come September 30, the reunion happens — sweaty, apologetic, and with a full plate of “I need to get back on track.”

Like clockwork. Like a see-saw relationship that no body — literally — deserves.

So here it is: my summer challenge to you.

Switch your mindset

Summer is not a pause button. It's not a break from your body, your goals, or your movement.

If anything, it's a chance to reimagine what consistency looks like when life gets louder and the sun stays out later.

Yes, your routine may shift. Maybe you're not hitting the gym five times a week, maybe you're juggling kids, travel, work, social life, and wondering where the day went. But that doesn’t mean you let the wheels fall off.

This is where the real work happens — in the ability to adapt without abandoning yourself.

Your fitness journey doesn’t live and die by barbells and treadmills.

Movement is everywhere. Early morning walks. Beachside circuits. Pool laps. Dancehall in your kitchen.

A spontaneous walk with friends. A quick body weight burner while the grill’s heating up. None of it is “less than”.

It’s all something. And that “something” keeps your momentum alive.

Consistency doesn’t mean rigidity — it means showing up in some way, even when life looks different.

Because when you anchor your mindset in wellness, and not perfection — you stop restarting every September.

You stop apologising to yourself. You stop making “fall resets” the norm.

This summer, prove to yourself that you can enjoy life and honour your health.

That you can sip the drinks, eat the food, make the memories and still keep your body moving with purpose.

That fitness isn’t something you turn on and off. It’s just part of how you live.

Let this be the summer you stay connected — to movement, to mindfulness, to the goals you set when the skies were grey and the grind was heavy.

You’ve done the hard part already — you’ve started. Now, keep going. Differently? Maybe. But keep going. Because this time, we’re not restarting in September.

This time, we’re just levelling up.

Happy Wednesday, fitfam. As usual, remain unapologetic about your fitness and wellness journey, stay true to yourself and always be honest with your efforts.

Lets made this a memorable summer, one filled with memories and movement.

• Andrea “Dre” Hinds is a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than 20 years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating out of HindsSight Fitness and Wellness at the Berkeley Cultural Centre. Contact her onabsbydre@gmail.com or 599-6683. Find her on Facebook, X and Instagram under @Absbydre