How to Keep That Summer Body All Year
There is no motivation quite like knowing you’re going to be spending most of your days rocking a bikini to get yourself into the summer bod mode.
However, why stop there? Why aim to just feel great for the summer and let things slide once your swap out your bathing suit for a big sweater?
We are all about getting in shape for the summer, but believe it is worth all that hard work to keep it going. Rather than make a temporary change to your eating and exercise habits, make it a new lifestyle that you carry on through all seasons.
Getting things started for the summer may be difficult — we totally get that. But, we are in this together and are all aboard the train to make your summer bod your year-round bod.
How exactly are we going to do this?
Let’s dive in so that you can feel comfortable diving into a pool anytime of the year.
Summer Body, But Year-Round
We are going to start things off by saying that everyone has their own idea of their ideal summer body, and we are all about that.
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to bodies — all sizes and shapes are equally as stunning. What really matters is that you are practicing the optimal healthy habits for yourself and your body, and feeling great in your own skin.
Now that we’ve got that off of our chests, it’s time to chat how to get to the best version of yourself and keep it that way.
1. Keep a balanced workout routine
Have you ever found yourself really amping up your workout routine before summer or before a big event where you want your body to look fab?
We know we have been there numerous times and while that may work for the short-term, when it comes to keeping your body looking and feeling great, you’re going to have to go a different route.
Instead, keep your workout routine balanced and realistic. Can you really do two-a-days three days a week for the next forever? Neither can we.
Rather than set yourself up for failure by setting your guidelines way too high, be realistic about what you can do, are willing to do, and want to do when it comes to your long-term exercise routine.
Rather than cramming as much as possible into a few days, spread it out a bit thinner and try to work out 5-6 days a week. This will give you breathing room and keep your body from burning out. You’ll still get the results you’re after, and in a way that isn’t going to make your body hate you from sheer exhaustion and overexertion.
Adding Pilates Platinum classes to your regular routine is a great way to stay in shape year-round. By just adding a couple of these classes to your week, you will see major shifts in your mind, body, and spirit.
2. Continue setting health goals for yourself
Don’t just have your goal be to get skinny enough to fit into a specific dress. Look deeper into your goal setting and make them things that will be year-round and keep you going whether you’ve got an upcoming event or not.
Some of the goals you can set for yourself include things such as packing your own lunch more often as opposed to eating out. You can aim to sleep more and go to bed at a more regular time. You can strive to do 5 more reps of a workout that has been challenging you.
Don’t have your goals be all about weight and how you clothes fit you. Keep your goals focused on how you feel.
3. Get a squad
Working out is much more fun when you do it with other people. Not only does having buddies by your side make the class go by faster and keep you motivated, it holds you accountable. You don’t want to stand your friend up, so sign up for the Pilates Platinum class together and your chances of making it there will be much higher.
Plus, finding a squad that has the same mindset as you about health will help you stay healthy in the long-term rather than just for a quick fix.
4. Eat healthy, but realistically
We are here to tell you that cutting all sugar for the rest of your life is just not realistic. While you may be able to stay strong for a few weeks, even go a month or two without sugar, you are going to crash if you set up your diet with a laundry list of “don’ts.”
Rather than making a list of what you cannot eat, focus your attention on learning how to fill your plate with more healthy things that will leave you craving fewer unhealthy things.
This means that you’ll be able to indulge from time to time, but you’ll do it in a much smarter way and from a much better place than deprivation. By only allowing yourself a bit of processed sugar (or other unhealthy foods), you’ll come to realize you don’t really need it, and when you do have a hankering for it, a very small bit will satisfy you.
5. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
You may fear that drinking a bunch of water will just leave you bloated but trust us, it won’t. Water is your BFF for your summer bod, and for your body throughout the entire year.
You should be drinking half your bodyweight in ounces of water a day. And we are guessing you are pretty far off the mark for that one, so get moving and hydrate yourself. This will not only do wonders for your body, but for your mind as well.