Is your holiday now just around the corner but you still want to lose a stone for summer? Don’t despair ... you can fast track your way to a bikini body that’s all set for the beach within weeks.
If your weight has hit a plateau and that final stone stubbornly refuses to budge, you may need to kick-start your body into shape for a fun-filled summer ahead. If you are really determined to get in shape for your holidays, then it is time to up the ante in your weight loss plan.
The team at Motivation Weight Management have experienced advisers to help you hit your ultimate weight loss target. And if you haven’t yet been in to meet them, here are Motivation’s top tips to help you get a bikini body to be proud of, on and off the beach.
Ditch the fizzy drinks
Carbonated drinks, even sugar-free varieties, can bloat you, so stick to still drinks and better still, make it water, water all the way. Drinking lots of water will help to keep you hydrated and flush away toxins.
Get fresh
Cut out all processed food and focus on eating fruit, vegetables and salad, with some fish, chicken or lean meat for protein. When eating carbs, choose wholemeal versions of bread and pasta. Remember to restrict your portions of carbs.
Exercise smarter
Studies show that people who do 15 minutes of resistance training burn 100 extra calories a day for three days afterwards. Aim to do resistance exercises, like push-ups or squats, three days a week.
If you use a rowing machine in the gym, instead of rowing at a steady pace, push yourself to row as vigorously as you can for 200m, rest for one minute and repeat the exercise five times. Likewise, on an exercise bike, sprint as fast as you can for 30 seconds, followed by four minutes of slow pedaling. Repeat five times. These kinds of workouts will jumpstart your metabolism, build muscle and help you achieve the toned body you want.
Enjoy the feelgood factor
Losing weight can be done quickly but safely and in a way that keeps you motivated. As those final pounds start falling away, Motivation’s advisers would encourage you to notice and enjoy the fringe benefits – more energy, better sleep and better skin, for instance. This feels great.
Hungry or thirsty
If you feel hungry after a meal, wait 20 minutes before you reach for second helpings. You may simply need time to digest. If you are still hungry, eat a source of protein, for example, some chicken or ham or Babybel cheese. And remember, sometimes the brain confuses hunger and thirst, so if you feel hunger pangs between meals, try drinking water first.
Take a picture
That’s right – take a photo of yourself in your favourite bikini or swimsuit now and keep it safe so that you can remind yourself of just how much you have achieved by the time your holiday begins. And when you look back over your holiday snaps, your own private ‘before and after’ pictures can provide a great motivation to maintain a ‘Bikini Lifestyle’, one that will leave you looking and feeling fantastic all year long.
Treat yourself
If you enjoy a tipple, don’t feel deprived – treat yourself to a couple of glasses of wine or beer, but limit it to once a week until you achieve your goal.
For details of your nearest Motivation Weight Management clinic, for Castlebar, Westport, Sligo and Letterkenny, call 1890 989895 or check out the Clinic Locator Page at www.motivation.ie
