With summer just around the corner most of us are dying to get holiday ready and enjoy the heat! For some of us, however, it isn’t all fun and games; it’s actually a pretty daunting time of year if you’re not confident about the way you look.
Taking off your comforting and familiar layers and packing away your cosy boots to reveal the real you is not always a sight one wants to be confronted with. But remember, the pounds you’ve gained through the winter can be lost. And in more ways than starving yourself and spending your precious spare time in the gym.
Top tips for getting beach ready:
It starts in the mind. If you’re not in the right headspace about what you’d like to accomplish, its not going to last. Write a list of goals that you wish to achieve as well as ways that will help you achieve them.
If you can, get the family involved in your new lifestyle change. You’ll be eating the same food and running on a similar schedule to those you live with, so if you’re all on board, all the better. You won’t have to suffer with food envy, and you won’t feel isolated when you’re the only one not binging on junk food. A little healthy competition with your partner may also spur you on!
Get your hair done, enjoy a pedicure. Beautify and pamper yourself – it’s not all about the weight. Just because you’ve been relaxed about exercise over the last few months it doesn’t mean you have to give up in other areas. Having a spray tan or getting yourself lash extensions will make you feel great about yourself as well as encourage positive body image.
Clean eating obviously has a huge role in feeling bikini ready. Well, good news. It’s not summer without barbecues and burgers – and you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to miss out. Barbecuing is actually a super healthy way to cook, just minimize the damage by passing on the cheese and bacon and opting for a few creamy slices of avocado and delicious salads instead.
Don’t drink away your calories. If the end of your week means meeting the girls for happy hour and downing tons of calories between beers and nachos, well, you’ll only wake up and regret it! Instead, have your girls join you for a movie night, a pamper or zumba class.
Participate in exercise that you actually enjoy. There’s no point of joining a running club if you hate running. Used to play netball back in school? Why not get back into it? If that’s not your thing, think outside of the box and try something totally new. Yoga, pilates, body pump, or swimming are all great ways to tone up.
Download hot remixes or mash-ups of your favourite music to freshen up your playlist. Only add songs that make you want to move—a strong beat can help you pick up the pace of your cardio routine, even if that does mean dancing in the kitchen with your kids.
Make healthy swaps to your lifestyle. Instead of doing the school run by car, walk. As you pop into town to go to the bank or the post office, grab your bike instead of your car keys.
No matter how many sit ups you do or how many miles you run, sometimes that muffin top just won’t shift. If you have fat that won’t budge, coolsculpting is an alternative method that is proving incredibly successful. This non surgical fat freezing procedure could give you a 25% fat reduction in just one treatment. No needles, no downtime, no nonsense.
Warmer, sunnier days can make you want to spend more time outside—but not necessarily running. Up your steps and enjoy the weather just by taking scenic walks and running around with your kids.
If you implement some of these tips into your day-to-day lifestyle you’ll be the first to unlayer when you’re poolside. Embrace your body and enjoy the summer.