Ready or not, swimsuit season is upon us! As much as we look forward to the sunny weather and spending time at the beach or pool, the thought of putting that bathing suit back on can be nerve-racking, to say the least. Here are five simple steps to toning up for the summer and keeping healthy lifestyle habits that will last all year long.
Pace Yourself
One of the biggest mistakes people can make when starting to workout is not easing themselves into it. Everyone wants to push themselves to the max at first, thinking it will bring about the most effective outcome. However, learning the basics properly and performing exercises meant for beginners will not only build a solid foundation for your fitness journey, but also prevent potential injuries and exhaustion.
Monitor Your Progress
Whether it be through body composition measurements (e.g. waist, thighs, hips, etc.), photographs, the scale, or a combination of any of these methods, tracking your improvement will help you keep your eye on the prize! Visualization can be a huge source of motivation. If you see results happening, you are more likely to stay on track and keep it that way. It will take a little more effort, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Move Everyday
It’s as simple as it sounds! Incorporate physical activity in your daily routine in order to accelerate your results and build healthy habits that will last long past the summer months. This may be more challenging for those who spend most of their days sitting at a desk, but there are still ways you can sneak it in. For example, try to take a walk before or after work, take the stairs instead of the elevator and do some stationary exercises while watching TV before bed.
Make The Most Out of Your Workouts
Don’t have tons of time to devote to your workout every day? No worries! Make the most out of your time by doing interval workouts rather than steady training. Including short, high-intensity bursts is the quickest and most effective way to reduce fat and keep your heart healthy. It is also an easy way to spice up your cardio so that it does not get repetitive and boring.
Continually Set New Goals
Once you’ve accomplished your short-term, seasonal benchmarks, don’t stop there! Use the momentum you have gained to keep going and set new goals. If you can accomplish one set of goals, what’s stopping you from going even further? By mixing up your workouts and keeping it fun, you will continue to see results and view fitness as a lifestyle choice, rather than just another task to check off daily.
Not only is living a healthy and active lifestyle great for shedding a few extra pounds in the summer months, but it also benefits your cardiovascular health. Studies show that thirty minutes of physical activity a day can improve your overall heart health and lower your risk of heart failure. So whether it’s to tone up or better your health, get moving this summer!
