do you have your "summer body" yet?

Hey Loseweight,
 
Cara here from Strip That Fat!
 
You wake up Monday morning and smile because unlike the usual darkness you have been waking up to all winter, today the sun is out to greet you...and when you leave work at 5pm you notice the sky is still bright, and look up, enjoying the feeling of warm sun on your face.

Suddenly though, you gasp.  The days are getting longer, which means summer is coming...and you haven't even started to think of a weight loss plan to get you in bathing suit worthy shape!

Stop hyperventilating...you can get fit for summer, it is not too late!

I am going to share some easy ways you can get into shape without having to drastically alter your life or spend thousands of dollars doing it.  All you need is a bit of motivation and the willingness to put in some work, and you will be able to achieve that bikini body you've been dreaming of.

Most get-fit-for-summer guides encourage crash dieting (basically starving yourself) but I am going to show you that you can eat well, never feel hungry and still get into shape.  The other great news?  This plan will keep you fit for the long-term, unlike the crash diets that actually leave you either back at your original weight or weighing more than when you started once you begin eating normally again.

Ready to get fit and feel great? Perfect!  Here are the tips:

1. Drink Water

This is the most important part of staying slim and healthy.  Water flushes out toxins and keeps us hydrated...when we are dehydrated we can often mistake this for hunger and instead of simply drinking a glass of water, we eat unnecessarily.  Drinking water also helps our bodies preform at our highest level, and boots our metabolism! Drink at least 8 cups of water a day.

2. Say No To Excess Sugar

It is actually easy to eat 100 less calories a day by simply making a few small changes to your sugar intake.  Do you really need that extra lump of sugar in your coffee, or is it just a habit?  Do you need the entire chocolate bar, or will you be satisfied with half?  

The easiest way to lower your sugar intake is to get it out of the house...don't have any candies or goodies lying around because you WILL eat them (you're only, human, after all!)  If you work in an office setting where there are often donuts or cookies around, tell your co-workers you are trying to steer clear of sugar and ask for the treats to be kept out of sight, or better yet bring your own snacks to work so that you aren't tempted.  Great alternatives are fruit (fresh or dried fruits, or natural fruit leathers) low-fat yogurt, chocolate soy beverages (try So Good or So Nice) or frozen yogurt.

3. Eat More Greens

Leafy greens like spinach, arugula, broccoli, kale, romaine lettuce and swiss chard help make you feel satisfied and full because they are packed with fiber as well as Vitamins A, C, D, E and K, folate, iron and calcium.  Add them to your whole wheat pasta dish, your stir-fry, your soup or your wrap, or simply steam them or have them in a salad.  You will feel more energized and less tempted to snack!

4. Get Moving

Diet is a huge part of weight control, but it is important to keep the body moving, too.  Hate the gym? No problem.  You do not have to spend countless hours on a stepping machine or running on a treadmill.  You should exercise for at least 30 minutes per day...here are some ideas to get you moving:

    * go for a walk
    * swim laps
    * take a dance class (ballet, swing, salsa, belly dancing)
    * run outside
    * play tennis
    * shoot hoops
    * go skating
    * play racket ball
    * join a running group
    * go hiking
    * go to a climbing gym
    * learn to surf
    * go skiing
    * jump rope
    * ride your bike
    * walk/ride your bike to work
    * go rollerblading
    * play dodge ball

5. Eat Fresh

The best way to keep your diet interesting and healthy is to eat the foods that are fresh.  Go to your local grocery store or market and choose the fruits and vegetables that are in season, and the meats that are fresh that day.

6. Eat More

Many people think that losing weight  means eating less food...wrong! It just means eating the RIGHT foods.  It is best to eat 5-6  times a day so that you are never hungry and never over-indulge.  Keep snacks around and eat every few hours.  Some great snack ideas are an apple and natural peanut butter, a handful of almonds, low-fat yogurt with fruit, hummus and carrots, or low-fat cottage cheese.  

7. Set A Goal

It is important to set a goal so that you have something to strive for and stay motivated with.  Do you want to lose 10 pounds by June?  Write that down and then write down the ways you are going to achieve that goal.  Will you go to the gym 3 times a week, or cut out your Friday night pizza night?  Make a plan and stick to it.  You can also add pictures of yourself now or pictures of what you want to look like to the goal  plan to help keep you on track and motivated.

8.  Find Support

Make sure to tell people you are on a mission to lose weight...that way your sister won't tempt you by dropping by with a huge tub of ice-cream when she breaks up with her boyfriend, or your husband won't take you out for that all-you-can-eat buffet he wanted to go to. 

Another way to find support is through fellow dieters.  They can help you through the tough times (when you are taking that last piece of chocolate cake out of the garbage and debating on eating it) and also suggest successful eating and work out tips.  Strip That Fat, is a great example of a community-based weight loss site where you can learn about healthy, long-term weight loss plus get personal support and coaching.  In fact, I personally support all Strip That Fat members within the online forum (include in membership).
 
Lastly, remember every little thing counts.  Did you walk to work today instead of drive? Great!  Did you join a spin class?  Well done!  Everything you do will have a positive effect on your body.

Summer is on it's way, and this should be a happy thing for you, not something to grumble about!  So get started making a change today and you will be fit for summer, just in time!

Have a great, healthy day!

Cheers,

Cara M.
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
www.stripthatfat.com






Strip That Fat
P.O Box 33007 310 Goldstream Ave.
Victoria
British Columbia V9B 6K3
Canada

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