Filed under Fitness on March 23rd, 2009:
Start Now to Get in Swimsuit Shape for Summer
It’s that time of year again. Spring is in the air and Summer is just around the corner. And, you know what that means – sandals, shorts, tank tops, and swim suits. We all indulge over the holidays and can’t get enough of our favorite warm comfort foods in the cold winter months. So, if you failed at your New Years resolution to lose weight and get in shape, now is the time to hop back on the wagon in time for summer.
To lose that winter weight and get in swimsuit shape, check out a few of these helpful tips:
1. Start now
If you wait until the week before Memorial Day, you are not going to be in shape for your summer debut at the swimming pool. Waiting until the last minute only leaves room for crash diets, starving yourself, and crazy workout routines – all of which are unhealthy and totally ineffective. If you get your act together now, you can start slow, work your way up to more intensity, and be in better shape come Memorial Day. Two months of work will show better results than two days of cramming.
2. Get into a swimsuit workout routine
To increase muscle tone and drop extra fat, you have to do some aerobic exercise. Fat doesn’t just turn into muscle. In fact, you could do crunches all day and not develop a six pack unless you do some aerobic exercise to burn away the fat layer covering those muscles. However, you don’t have to run to get in your aerobic exercise. Below are some muscle toning exercises and aerobic exercises that will make working out a little more enjoyable:
- Starting an Aerobic Workout
- Top 5 Healthy Heart Exercises
- Pilates Abs Workout
- Leg Toning Exercises
- Exercises that Focus on Butt, Hips, and Legs
Photo by: Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic
3. Eat right
You have to eat right. A healthy diet and exercise are needed to maintain a healthy weight and keep you in shape. Since the weather is getting warmer, ditch the heavy comfort food and start eating a little lighter. Below are some tips on how to feel better and eat healthier to get into swimsuit shape.
- Healthy Eating: Tips for a Healthy Diet
- The Best Healthy Snacks in Your Supermarket
- WebMD Food and Fitness Planner
- MyPyramid.gov
- Healthy Eating Recipes from Food Network
4. Don’t go it alone
Find a partner or tell everyone you know that you’re working on getting in shape for the summer. This will motivate you to stick to your routine, and these people will keep you accountable.
Whether you’re planning on hitting your Columbus apartment gym or getting outdoors to get in shape, create a plan, start early, and eat healthy to get the best results possible. If you have health problems or are not used to the strains of exercise, you may want to talk to your doctor and create a plan with his or her help.