Summer days spent laying out by the pool and boating at the lake require a cute swimsuit. Looking great in that suit may require some work now after a long winter spent by the fire. Try these tips to get into shape before heading out this summer.
Eat Protein with Every Meal
Protein is one of the most underrated macronutrients and is the key to helping you shed any extra weight. Eating 30 grams of protein at every meal will help balance your blood sugar levels to keep your energy high all day long. Eating protein can also help you tone your muscles to give you amazing beach body arms and abs. Try throwing grilled chicken breast in your salad, dipping vegetables in hummus, or eating cottage cheese and fruit for a protein boost.
In addition to getting more protein, you may find it helpful to count calories. If you burn more calories than you put in, you will lose fat. So if you are able, start tracking what you eat. Look closely at the number of carbs in what you are eating. Excess carbs get stored as fat, so you will want to cut back.
Switch to Water
A little sugar in your coffee, a sweet tea at lunch, and an energy drink in the afternoon can all add up to hundreds of extra calories before you know it. It’s a lot easier to drink too much sugar compared to eating it. Keep a close eye on the amount of sugar in your drinks. Instead of sweet drinks switch to calorie-free water that is sweetened with water. Not only will you be cutting sugar, but you will be more hydrated and just generally feel better.
Don’t Be Afraid to Lift
Many women stick to the treadmill or elliptical machine at the gym and skip the weights for fear of looking too bulky. While cardio is great for keeping your heart healthy, make sure to tone up by lifting weights.
Strength training with weights helps tone muscle, burns extra calories, and can increase your base metabolic rate. This will help you burn fat even after you leave the gym. Never be afraid to grab the next heaviest dumbbell either. Pushing yourself will help you build confidence.
Cut Back on Salty Snacks
Salty snacks, such as crackers and chips, are high in sodium. All that sodium can cause you to retain up to 10 pounds of water. Cutting back on salt and switching to healthy snacks can help you look and feel better this summer. Less sodium will also reduce the risk of heart disease. So look for low sodium content where possible.
Consider Taking Care of Your Wrinkles
Your skin is one of the first things that others notice about you. Take care of it before your summer vacation with a trusted specialist in skincare. You may try a derma filler to tighten up wrinkles, dissolve any extra cellulite or stop excess sweat with injections. Check for a local company like Secret Skin to do the work for you.
Get a (Safe) Tan
Perfectly tanned skin can help your look slimmer and better this summer. Don’t raise your risk of skin cancer by getting your tan by laying out in the sun. A tan is not worth the risk of a deadly condition. Instead, consider getting a perfect sun-kissed bronze look with an at-home self-tanning lotion.
Don’t dread swimsuit shopping this year. With a little work and self-care, you will enjoy looking great all summer long. And when you are confident in the way you look, you can be confident in the way you feel. So follow these tips and get yourself into summer shape.
