8 Best ways to get fit before summer
Spring has arrived! And i know we are all thinking about our bikini bodies! Swimsuit season is upon us and it's time to get outside. But don't forget it's not all about weight. It's about strength (mental and physical), endurance, wellbeing and good health. As an Australian swimwear designer, I have dealt with a whole heap of highs and lows when it comes to my own body..
My Australian swimwear boutique offers bikinis, one pieces, high waisted options and have a range of collections, accessories, shoes, and occasionally a swimwear sale online! We can chat swimwear later ;) Thats not why we're here! Today we talk bikini bods, confidence in your bikini and getting fit!!
Follow these steps and you'll be a lot closer to that bod you've always wanted!
1. Get into the right routine!
It might be hard to change up what you are so used to but.. even a small change in your weekly routine can make a huge difference. Check out a local class; yoga, pilates, F45, the local netball team, beach volleyball! There are so many options! All you need to do is pick one, get a friend to join you so you can motivate each other and if that doesn't work.. the cost of it might! Sometimes you need to pay upfront for casual sports teams or F45 classes and that should help motivate you to go!
Joining a class is great because it takes out a specific time in the day which you can dedicate to exercise. No distractions, no cancellations!
2. Prioritise a healthy breakfast and lunch.
Its best to consume the majority of your calories before 3pm in the afternoon. People who eat their biggest meals early in the day shed more weight than those who eat the same amount of calories but later in the day.
Bulk up your breakfast with eggs - you won't find a better source of protein.
3. Juice up your diet!
Skip the high-cal, sugar-spiked baked goods and sip on this hydrating, nutrient-packed juice from Eric Helms, founder of Juice Generation, when you want a sweet snack that sneaks in servings of produce: In a juicer, combine 2 to 3 carrots (greens removed), 1 seeded apple, 1/2 small beet, and 1/4 peeled lemon. This combo will boost your vitamin A levels while providing a little natural SPF for your skin and also giving your skin a rosy glow thanks to all of the carotenoids packed in the beets and carrots.
4. You guys will LOVE this one.. Drink coffee before your workout!
This will give you the extra energy you've wanted to really hit that workout hard! Caffeine disrupts the pain signals your muscles send to your brain, so you feel better during and after your workout and you're able to exercise longer and harder. It also ramps up your metabolism.
It takes about 15 minutes for caffeine to affect you after you drink it. Its best to drink about 30-60 minutes before exercising.
5. Drink Tea!
Green tea has been associated with several health benefits due its rich nutritional and antioxidant properties. Green tea has been used in several traditional Chinese medicines to treat numerous conditions from headaches to wound cleaning.
More recently it has been linked to weight loss. Green tea contains caffeine and a type of flavonoid called catechin, which is an anti-oxidant. Research suggests that both of these compounds speed up metabolism. Catechin helps to break down extra fat while caffeine helps increase the amount of energy the body uses.
6. Update your playlist!
Have you ever felt that extra motivation as you listen to your fave playlist? Research suggests that different types of music put you in different moods. It creates a motivational background for all activities and impacts mental and physical endurance.
If you've ever tried a fitness class you know how it feels. Research proves that using music while exercising now only helps motor co-ordination but also boosts your self confidence!
Improved self confidence is directly related to self-esteem. Therefore music has an affect on the way we perceive ourselves. Music also helps with stress relief and relaxation, brings peace to our minds and helps with our ability to concentrate.
7. Clear out your wardrobe and buy some new exercise gear!
There's something great about the feeling of cleaning out your wardrobe and bringing in fresh new outfits to replace them. Do you ever feel like if you clear your wardrobe, you clear your mind? Sometimes items of clothing remind you of events or times in your life that maybe you need to move on from. Or maybe you want to create a new style for yourself.
Clearing out old clothes you no longer wear will make you feel liberated! Go and buy yourself some new clothes, maybe some new workout gear, some new Australian swimwear ;) and wear them with confidence!
8. Hydrate!
Have a glass of water before each meal. You'll stay hydrated as the heat rises, which can make exercise feel easier, and drinking 2 cups of water before eating can help you consume fewer calories when you dig in.
Goodluck! xx