Since spring is right around the corner, it is high time to start thinking of getting in shape for the hot bikini days. Unfortunately, a lot of people tend to think that there is a magic pill out there or a three-day plan that will help you get that sculpted body of your dreams. Due to the fact that people fail to educate themselves on the matter, a vast amount of people resort to different scams such as detox packs fad diets, and skinny teas. Others might take even more drastic measures and consider going on surgeries and starving themselves to the point of anorexia.
Here are some of the best tips to help anyone get the body they always wanted.
1. Have goals
At the start of any fitness journey, it is important to make goals and to be specific about them. Whether your goal is to simply lose a couple of kilos of extra body fat or build up some quality muscle, it is crucial to have a goal that will keep you motivated. Goals are a must because they give you something to work for. Other people might wish to improve their agility and overall strength. The bottom line is, goals are different for every individual and they are also unique. The best way to make sure that you are making progress is to keep track of your performance and take many progress photos. For example, take one photo of yourself wearing only a bikini. Next, take the exact same shot a couple of weeks later. If you see a slight positive difference then you know that you are doing a good job!
2. Focus on nutrition
The key to getting that fit body of your dreams is to make sure that your nutrition is on point. This means that fried, over-processed food is out of the question. If you are having a hard time making drastic changes and eliminating junk food from your life, then consider going slow and decrease the portion sizes over time. Also, remember to focus on whole, natural foods and try to incorporate as many servings of fruits and veggies as you possibly can. One of the most common issues of fitness freaks is reaching the daily recommended amount of protein. If you want to get your protein in from other sources than eggs and meat, then consider protein supplements for weight loss which come in a variety of fun flavors! So, leave all your excuses at the door and eat healthily. Whether your goal is to lose weight or build muscle, you need to know your average calorie intake and see whether you are eating at a surplus or a deficit. To make things a ton easier, there are free meal tracking apps available all over the internet.
3. Work out
The next tip comes as no surprise – you have to exercise on a daily basis to look and feel good. Nevertheless, no one needs to kill themselves working out at the gym to reach amazing results. A brisk walk every day or an effective workout at home might also do the trick. The most important thing is to get your body moving and break a sweat. Other ways to burn a few extra calories without even noticing is taking the longer route home by foot, or just simply skipping the elevator and climbing the stairs. On a side note, do not forget to carry an extra water bottle with you to keep hydrated! Keeping hydrated is essential when working out.
4. Get a lot of sleep
It is not a secret that sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to reach for that extra slice of the pie than people who get at least seven hours of sleep every night. Also, when skipping quality sleep, anyone is prone to feeling hungrier and less energetic. The greatest cause of weight gain when lacking sleep is the infamous cortisol hormone. Cortisol is the stress hormone that messes with the brain to want to make us eat more than our body needs for fuel. Also, the hormones leptin and ghrelin are affected by the lack of quality sleep. The less leptin the body produces, the hungrier a person feels. Also, ghrelin stimulates hunger and increases fat storage. The bottom line is, try to do anything in your power to get at least a couple of hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. Your body will thank you later.
Above all, it is important to understand that fitness is a lifestyle and not a one week plan. Also, by visualizing where you want to be in terms of fitness in a couple of months or maybe a year, you are encouraging yourself in the best way possible.
