these just SKIM the surface of what I THINK (and do) to maintain a hot body!! For me, it's important to look as good as possible in ALL SEASONS...but I understand some people want that "summer body." Well, its JUNE! Your time is NOW. Even though its already hot, Summer is really going to "start" soon. That July 4th weekend is but 4 weeks away. Do you know how much you can do to benefit yourself and the way you look on the beach in that time?! A LOT. Here's 8 rules for keeping a hot body all summer. Not in any particular order.
1) Drink lots of water: This is pretty self-explanatory. With the hotter temperatures, you better drink EVEN more to combat the extra sweating and elevated risk of dehydration. A nice lil fit tip is to put lots of ice cubes in your water, because drinking ICE COLD water is said to increase your metabolism (marginally, but hey...every bit helps.)
2) Get out in the sun: Having a nice tan has a flattering effect on muscle definition, and can make you look slimmer, and probably feel more confident about yourself at the pool or on the beach. Not to mention, I find that if I lay out, go swimming, etc.. I don't get hungry NEARLY as often! Sunshine is one of my favorite appetite suppressants...maybe it's just me.
3) Watch your carbs: Yup. I went there. Healthy poolside snacking is tricky. Fruit is not always the answer. Just because all the fruits look so ripe and vibrant, doesn't mean its okay to eat a whole watermelon and put 2 cups of fresh berries next to every meal you eat. Treat yourself to a super ripe piece of fruit once a day, or 1-2 servings of perfect berries. Not the whole container of blueberries from costco. (my downfall last summer) Cold sliced cucumbers and celery sticks are perfect, and the water content really fills you up.
4) Drink unsweetened iced coffee: Whether you choose caffeinated or decaf, iced coffee is a great , refreshing treat during the summer weather, and will curb hunger or cravings. My personal favorite is Starbucks. But you really cant go wrong with plain old iced coffee! Avoid milk. A tiny bit of skim, almond, or coconut milk is fine. Coffee is also a good diuretic....(oops i went there)
5) Wear form fitting clothes: I know all of those super blousy, flowy, looking tops and tunics are "in" for the season, but make sure you buy some summer clothes with structure and fit. Wear tight pants to a barbecue, you won't eat as much (i promise. lol) Pastel and neon skinny jeans are adorable, and will make you look FAT if you don't keep your booty working hard! Fit tip: buy your clothes snug rather than loose. You'll want to shed more weight so that the clothes feel super comfortable.
6) Enjoy the hot weather with friends: Make plans with your friends/family to go for a walk when its super hot out, or a bike ride. Go to the beach, and walk in the sand, not the hard sand next to the water, unless your feet get too hot! Walking on the beach is a sick workout, and is a good way to get an even tan if you hate laying on your stomach like I do.
7) WORK OUT: This should go without saying, but keep your workout routine! Sure, spice it up, run on the beach, hills in your neighborhood or park, run outdoors. Make sure you keep your strength training regimen though! Go to the gym very early or late at night, when you aren't wishing to be in the sun. If you have a beach day or weekend planned, plan your workouts accordingly. If you're like me, you workout on vacation, regardless. If not, kick your butt before you go away!
8) ENJOY THE WEATHER: Seriously. This is so important. I find that a positive mood is one of the absolute best tools for sticking to a healthy lifestyle and really enjoying it. If you're genuinely happy about the sunshine and the heat, you'll be less likely to overstress or get depressed over small issues at work, or with friends. Enjoy the season, it's short!
Like I said. This skims the surface. But I hope you learned something new or found some insight from this post. Ready, set, GO get HOT for bikini/beach bod weather! If you are already hot, enjoy it, and rock that body with PRIDE on the beach or at the pool. Take pics, let the haters suck down a beer and be jealous of your 6 pack. Its not YOUR fault that you look better than them!
GORGEOUS!
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