5 Steps to a Bikini Ready Body

Beach Ready in 5 Easy Steps

The calendar says it’s March but it’s already bathing suit season in the stores. If the thought of donning four ridiculously small pieces of nylon attached by three skinny little strings and venturing outdoors in public makes you want to run for your snuggie, relax. You still have three months to get your fitness house back in order and get ready to rock your bikini or tankini with confidence. Just follow these five easy diet and fitness secrets to a better beach body.

1. You are what you drink…
While watching what you eat is a big part of the weight loss equation, paying close attention to the liquid calories you take in is just as important. Fruit juice, smoothies, non-diet soda, sports drinks, and especially alcohol can add hundreds of calories to your daily total. Perhaps the most dangerous drawback to liquid calories is the fact that they do not fill you up.

2. Portion control, portion control, portion control…
Even the most nutrient dense, vitamin packed foods have a downside. Too much of a good thing can wreak havok on any diet. By choosing foods that come in single sized portions such as apples, pears, granola bars, and prepackaged portions of crackers and wholegrain snacks you can eliminate the ability to eat more than you should.

3.  Be realistic…
Don’t plan your workouts for 5 a.m. if you are not a morning person. Make sure to make a weight loss plan you can stick to. Schedule your workouts at a time that works best for you. Plan your diet around healthy foods that you enjoy. Plan your weight loss around your life. Don’t plan your life around your weight loss.

4.  Put some “work” into working out…
Congratulations, you made it to the gym. Time to hop on the treadmill and chat it up with a friend, watch TV, and “check in” to let all your Facebook friends know how awesome you are for making it to the gym, right? If you can do all of these things during your exercise routine, you are not going to get results. Exercise should be enjoyable, but somewhat uncomfortable. According to Livestrong, One way to ensure you are working hard enough is to use a heart rate monitor. To determine your target heart rate, consult your physician

5.  Try something new…
Variety is the spice of life. While it is important to find a diet and exercise plan you can stick to, it is equally important to keep things fresh. Make it your goal to try something new every couple of weeks. Buy a healthy eating cookbook and try a new recipe. Try a new sport. Sign up for a pole dancing class if you are feeling adventurous. The goal is to keep things interesting.

The key to any successful weight loss plan is to keep things simple and be realistic about your goals and your lifestyle. Will you look like a swimsuit model by June? Maybe not, but you may be on your way to conquering your fear of nylon and strings.

Photo courtesy of Ed Frazier via Flickr