We’ve officially made it past financial quarter close and, for those in the U.S., the Fourth of July frenzy. Whether you’re easing back into work mode or still juggling half-days and summer Fridays, now’s the time to reset.
The good news? Staying on track doesn’t require a full-on life overhaul. These three low-lift, high-impact habits are helping me stay grounded, energized, and a little less scatterbrained in the summer haze.
This week’s theme: dark chocolate gelato, smarter sweat sessions, and inbox-level clarity.
Here are the three things I swear by right now:
1️⃣ DIET: Ice Cream and Popsicles That Actually Work With Your Goals 🍨🍧
Why it works
You don’t need to skip dessert to stay on track. Ice cream and popsicles can support your goals when you pick versions that are nutrient-aligned and craving-smart. This isn’t about restriction—it’s about strategic satisfaction.
How to do it
- For richness: Enjoy one scoop of intensely flavored gelato—like gelato al nero fondente (deep dark chocolate). The richer the flavor, the less you need.
- For refreshment: Popsicles have evolved. They’re no longer just sugar water on a stick. Try:
- Johnny’s Pops – creamy, lower sugar, with real ingredients
- GoodPop Fruit Bars – made with clean fruit blends
- Yasso Bars – Greek yogurt base = protein win
- DIY frozen fruit skewers (grapes, watermelon, strawberries) for a fun, natural alternative
- DIY Avocado Mint Chip “Ice Cream” – see below. Mint chip ice cream is so awesome for the summer, and Yasso makes the flavor as well. It cools you down and “signals” to your palette with the minty flavor that it is time to stop 🛑
Behavioral bonus
Delaying the indulgence by visiting multiple shops or preparing it yourself gives your brain time to anticipate the reward. That anticipation = dopamine. Research shows this delay actually increases satisfaction and helps you eat less. I break this down more in my "Escaping the Free Food Trap" Series:
Pro tip: Keep 2–3 options on hand so you can match your mood and avoid impulsive snack runs.
2️⃣ FITNESS: Why Evening Workouts Are the Summer Hack You Didn’t Know You Needed 🌇
Why it works
Summer mornings are hectic and hot. Evening workouts help your body wind down, process stress, and stay cool—literally and mentally.
The flow
- Pick an evening walk, slow flow yoga, or sunset weights session
- Use the time to unplug from work, reset your mindset, and disconnect from screens
- Let your body guide the intensity—this isn’t HIIT o’clock
Pro tip: Stack it after dinner. You’ll sleep deeper and feel more restored the next morning. Try it for 3 days and watch your sleep improve.
3️⃣ LIFE: Mid-Year Digital Declutter 🧹
Why it works
You’re not lazy—you’re digitally overloaded. This mid-summer window is perfect for clearing mental bandwidth and setting yourself up for a strong Q3.
How to do it
- Tidy your desktop, cloud storage, and browser tabs
- Use OneTab or Raindrop.io to organize bookmarks
- Apply GTD + PARA to create folders by project, area, and archive
Pro tip: Set a 25-minute timer and clean up one zone per day (desktop, email, downloads, etc). Small wins build fast momentum.
Plus, you burn so many calories with NEAT. Make it fun. Play some music.
How to Make These Three Things Stick
Stack the habits:
🍨 Pick your ice cream ritual → 🏃♀️ move in the evening → 💻 do a quick file cleanup before bed.
Track the streak:
Use your Notes app or calendar to mark when you hit all three. Keep the streak alive.
Tag a friend:
Invite a friend to your sunset walk or share your go-to gelato flavor. Tiny accountability = long-term consistency.
Want more? Bookmark DAOFitLife.com for weekly posts like these.
Tags: #threethings #diet #exercise #productivity #inboxzero
