Countdown to Summer
Summer is right around the corner, but it’s not too late to get in shape. If you’re looking to tone up for swimsuit season, our timeline and tips can help you get beach ready.
6 Weeks to Go
Take an honest look at your fitness level and the amount of weight you want to lose. A safe rule of thumb is losing one to two pounds per week. Pace yourself at first, as you might feel some muscle soreness after your first few workouts. Try to find a workout plan you can stick with, whether it’s signing up for classes in a gym two to three times per week, or exercising at home with workout videos. Emphasize both cardio and some sort of resistance training, with light weights or exercise bands.
Also, don’t focus solely on exercise. You need a two-pronged approach of diet and exercise to see real changes. Start cutting back on things like bread and white rice in the first couple of weeks to save calories, aiming for one serving a day. Also start to reduce the number of days per week you eat lunch out. Bagging your lunch will help you control calories.
4 Weeks Out
Continue to aim for exercise three days per week combining both cardio and strength training. Focus on eating the most nutrient rich foods with the fewest calories, such as vegetables and low-fat proteins (lean chicken, eggs, fish, tofu and protein powder), with moderate to low consumption of fruits and grains.
If you’re still noticing stubborn fat despite eating right and exercising regularly, SculpSure® may an option for you. SculpSure® is a comfortable and well tolerated body contouring system designed to reduce fat that seems resistant to diet and exercise. And results can be seen in as few as six weeks, according to clinical testing. SculpSure® works by raising the temperature of body fat in problem areas, with no surgery, downtime, or bruising of surrounding skin.
2 More Weeks
Make sure to include some protein at every meal and snack to avoid between-meal binges. Now is a good time to really concentrate on making smart food swaps whenever possible, like skim milk instead of whole in your coffee, and oil and vinegar salad dressing instead of creamy options like ranch and Russian.
Almost There – One Week to Summer
It’s crunch time (no pun intended). Consider swapping a protein shake with low-fat milk or almond milk for one or two meals each day, then have a balanced meal of vegetables and low-fat protein for your third meal – like steamed broccoli and salmon. Also, use this remaining time to beat bloat by avoiding sodium, alcohol and carbonated drinks.
June 21st – Congratulations!
Time for fun in the sun while feeling confident and proud of the steps you took to become a slimmer you. Whatever option you choose to get in shape for summer, be sure to get the information you need to make the best choice for you.