Get ready for your bikini this summer
Counting down the days until your summer holiday no longer needs to fill you with dread. Whilst getting ‘beach body’ ready can feel like a chore, all it really takes is some small lifestyle changes that will give you the confidence you need to step out in even the tiniest of bikini’s!
Izzy Cameron, Nutrition and Weight Management Specialist at Diet Chef, explains how to shift the weight, whether you have 3 months, or 2 weeks, to prepare….
3 months to go
Exercise can be incorporated into your daily routine, at any time of the day. Leaving the house 30 minutes earlier could give you the time you need to walk the first part of your journey to work.
Give your eyes a rest from the computer screen and take a lunchtime stroll, or find a nearby gym that offers a variety of classes – yoga is perfect for building strength, flexibility and helping your mind, as well as your body, relax. Not to mention all over body toning!
Cut out the pub and meet friends for a game of tennis or badminton instead. Turning exercise into a social event makes it much more enjoyable, and can also be more motivating.
8 weeks to go
A varied and nutritional diet is hard to maintain. To take away the hassle of preparing food, which can often be very time consuming, diet delivery services such as Diet Chef are a fantastic way to help you lose weight in time for your holiday. Not only are the calories in each meal counted for you, the portion size is also controlled and learning to control that is one of the most effective weight management tools for the long term.
Simple meal planning is the best way to ensure you are getting enough nutrients and controlling your portion size and calorie intake. It sounds simple, but make a list before going food shopping of meals you want to eat for the week. This way you know exactly what you need to buy. It’s also a good money saving tip, meaning more holiday spends!
If you need to snack, do so sensibly. Keep a bag of almonds in your handbag for when you are in need of an energy boost. Almonds are packed with vitamins, minerals and protein, and just a handful a day contains one-eighth of our necessary daily doses of protein.
Cutting out fizzy drinks and sugary fruit juices will not only contribute to weight loss but will also reduce that bloated feeling. If you can’t bear to be without a hot drink, herbal tea is a great way to promote fat burning; varieties such as peppermint and green tea speed up digestion, therefore help you burn calories quicker.
2 weeks to go
To ensure both your hair and nails stay strong, and better abled to withstand damage from the sun and salty sea water, start taking hair and nail supplements as these will nourish deep from within. They will also encourage growth.
Incorporate body brushing into your daily routine to help increase the circulation to the skin and reduce the look of cellulite.
For those with a final few pounds to lose, it’s not too late. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day and think carefully about your food intake in those final two weeks.
Switch lunchtime sandwiches for salads and carb based evening meals for protein and vegetables. This will help in reducing unwanted bloating.
Cut out sugary snacks and opt for fruit and nuts instead. This will help your body and skin feel much more cleansed.
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