Almost half of all Americans want to lose weight within the next year.
Whether they’re looking to lose half their body weight or just want to drop those last few stubborn pounds, the goal is the same; achieving the body they’re dreaming of.
This time of year, with winter in full swing, many people are busy dreaming of summer plans. If those plans include a bikini or swim trunks, those weight loss goals might be even more present on your mind.
While it’s still months away, now is the time to start working on your goals if you want your body to be summer-ready. Keep reading to learn a few tips on how to get a beach body in time for your summer vacation.
Change Your Eating Right Away
If you want to get the beach body you’ve always dreamed of having, you’ll need both exercise and healthy eating to get you there.
But a big mistake many people make is valuing exercise overeating. They put long hours at the gym, and use that to justify occasional overeating or a daily splurge.
The truth is, if you want to get in shape, your diet is actually more important than your exercise routine. Experts say that, as a general rule, a good diet plan is 75 percent smart food choices and just 25 percent exercise.
You don’t necessarily have to switch from pasta and pizza to salads and kale smoothies just like that. Start by making small changes in your diet. Swap junk food for whole grain snacks and soda for water.
Try introducing one healthy meal a day, then gradually increase it.
The sooner you can switch to a fully-healthy diet, the faster you’ll start shedding those pounds. But trying to jump in all at once can make you give up on your fitness goals too soon.
Find Small Ways to Add Exercise
When summer is still several months away, it can feel as though you have plenty of time to start working to get that beach body. But losing weight and toning up takes time.
If you’re still feeling like you need to ease into a new diet and exercise plan, try adding in small spurts of exercise each day.
Park your car in the furthest lot from work or the mall. Skip the elevator and take the stairs. Turn off the TV and take a stroll after dinner rather than flopping on the couch.
If you can, start working out for at least 30 minutes a few times a week. Your workout can be anything from a light walk to a half hour in the gym, depending on your current fitness level.
Choose a Workout Your Enjoy
If you want to stick to your fitness goals and finally get the perfect beach body, you need to find a workout that you enjoy. Or at the very least, one that you don’t hate.
When you hate a workout, you’ll dread it. This makes it more likely that you’ll give in to the temptation to skip workouts or else not give them your full focus and effort.
With so many workout options out there, it shouldn’t be too tough to find one that you like more than the rest.
Find your “om” in a yoga class. Reconnect with nature by taking a hike. Work muscles you didn’t even know you had with a spin class.
If you aren’t sure what your favorite workout style is yet, test them out. Sign up for a variety of classes, and try out other workouts on your own to find the right one for you.
Give Yourself Attainable Goals
While achieving your dream beach body might be the ultimate goal, it’s one that can be tough to track.
Instead, you need attainable goals that are easy to track in order to keep you motivated. These goals depend on what it is you really want.
If you envision your perfect beach body as one that is toned and sculpted, you’ll need to do plenty of weightlifting. Your goals could be to reach certain weights on different exercises.
If you need to drop weight to achieve your dream body, set a specific weight loss goal.
Your goal doesn’t even have to be a weight. If your chosen workout style is running, you could sign up for a 5K, 10K, or even a marathon. Your goal could simply be to complete the race.
When you set your goal, make sure that you are pushing yourself, yet still be ing realistic. If your goal is impossible to reach, you’ll only lose motivation as you see yourself losing ground on your goal week after week.
Give Your Body a Leg Up
If you’ve tried diets, exercise, and every other trick in the book, and still aren’t reaching your goals, you may need some help. If you are carrying some serious extra weight, working out and eating healthy may not be enough.
In this case, surgery might be necessary to get you to weight that’s healthy enough for you to finish losing the rest of it on your own. If you have fewer pounds to lose or surgery isn’t an option, there are other ways to help give your body a leg up on weight loss.
There is an endless number of supplements, boosters, and protein options out there that can help you drop weight, build strength, and tone up.
Supplements and protein help give your body a boost of fuel and help you build more muscle, faster. Boosters do that and more. Discover more about some of your booster options here.
How to Get a Beach Body in Time for Your Summer Vacation
Now that you know a few tips on how to get a beach body in time for your summer vacation, it’s time to get to work.
With plenty of time left before your summer adventure, there’s still time to learn some other tips for staying healthy while traveling. Check out these tips to learn how to stay safe and sober while on the go.