The holidays booked, you’ve planned your holiday wardrobe and marked the days on your calendar, but what about your bikini body? Getting in trim for our two weeks on the beach is something we all do, and at times it can be a somewhat painful process, so I’ve decided to gather together some tried and tested tips to make this year’s beach bod battle a bit less of a struggle.
This first tip is obvious: eat more healthily. I know we all know this, but it can be difficult to stay on track and for me the easiest way to do this is to go for healthy foods that you actually like, rather than forcing down foods you aren’t keen on. Other ways to stay healthy are to find less unhealthy versions of the meals you love, use lower in fat spreads, yoghurts and dressing and start every day with a high fibre breakfast containing some fruit and slow burning carbs.
Tip number two is another which isn’t exactly ground breaking, and it is to do more cardiovascular exercise. This increases your heart rate, gets you moving and means your burn off excess fat, and you will get the best results and be able to stick at it, if you do a form of exercise you find enjoyable. Keep yourself even more interested by varying the forms of exercise you do, integrating team sports, classes and gym sessions as appropriate.
Alongside cardio activity, it will also help if you do some toning work, as this will give you a leaner looking, firmer beach body. Toning works the muscles and gives a longer, firmer appearance, and can be achieved with a range of exercises including sit ups, pilates and yoga.
‘Water, water everywhere’ is how the poem goes and you would do well to remember this as part of your beach body plan. Drinking at least two litres of water a day will give your body a good cleanse, keep skin clear, and fill your stomach; keeping snack attacks at bay!
My final tip, especially if you suffer with cellulite, is to dry brush your skin. You can get a firm natural bristle brush from places like Boots or The Body Shop and then use it just before you shower, brushing in a circular motion, from your toes to your neck. This will stimulate circulation, improve digestion and tighten the skin- all of which help you get a bikini body.
Kick start your fitness regime by joining a local Cheshire leisure club at make the most of a swimming pool, running track and gym in cheshire