Summer is well on it’s way; the light nights are starting, the days are getting warmer, and rainy days are far and few in between. Summer means only one thing: holidays of course! If you’ve got a summer vacation booked this year, whether it’s with your other half or your girlfriends, you’ll no doubt want to look amazing in the sunshine.
Well, looking amazing isn’t all that easy – it will take a bit of effort on your part. No diet pill, shake, or magic food is going to melt the fat off, make your skin glow, and give you the confidence you’re after. Here are the 5 summer holiday body tips that guarantee you’ll look amazing in the sun (just don’t read on if you aren’t willing to work for it):
Eat Right
That’s correct – you must eat right in order to look amazing on your vacation. The sooner you start, the better! This is the most important thing over anything else you do, even exercises. Many people make the mistake of thinking they can out train a rubbish diet, eat whatever they like, exercise every day, and then wonder why they aren’t seeing any results. The sexy body you’ve been dreaming of is literally made in the kitchen, not the gym.
You should eat as clean as possible in order to get the results you want, around 80% of the time with the other 20% used as a treat day. You should eat as many whole, natural foods as possible. This includes loads of veg, lean meat, fruit, nuts, eggs, sweet potato (in moderation), brown rice (in moderation), and wholegrain bread (in moderation). You should only eat the heavier carbs like sweet potato after you’ve worked out (more on this later), otherwise your body could still store this as fat. You should avoid processed, refined, sugary, salty food as much as possible. As a general rule, the less ingredients in a product, the better it is. Have a couple of treats one day a week, perhaps on a Sunday so you can celebrate after a week of hard work. This will keep you motivated, as well as give your metabolism a little kick in order to keep going. You should also drink as much water as you can, anything from 1.5 liters to 4 liters per day. This may seem like a lot, so you will have to make a conscious effort to drink it by buying bottles and keeping them with you. Green tea, black tea, and black coffee are ok too. If you can master clean eating, you’re 80% of the way there!
If you feel you’re too far gone for diet and exercise, and maybe you don’t have enough time, there are certain procedures you can try, although these would only be recommended after you’ve tried every other option. Take a look at the ABSAMC website to get a better idea of what is available to you!
Exercise
Exercise is the next most important thing. Some people prefer to swim, some prefer to run, and others prefer to attend lots of exercise classes. Of course there is no right or wrong way to get fit. Keep in mind that different people will need various types of exercises in order to get the body they want, since everyone is a unique individual. However, you can definitely expect to see results from doing moderate cardio (HIIT training is great), and resistance training with weights, bands, and kettle bells. Females don’t have enough testosterone to ‘bulk up’ like males do. Instead, you’ll shed fat, build muscle which will give you definition, and get a great body shape with curves in all of the right places!
Get a Tan
A tan makes us look slimmer, and gives us a nice healthy glow. While it might look acceptable sporting the pasty look in places like the UK, on the beach you’ll stand out like a sore thumb. A nice tan will help you to look slimmer, healthier, and you’ll look great in your vacation photos. You can do this by using a good faux tan like Fake Bake or St. Tropez. Fake tan can look natural when applied correctly. Always ensure you use tanning mitts to avoid getting orange fingers. Washing your hands just doesn’t quite cut it!
To self tan evenly, use a clean mitt and apply from your feet upwards in circular motions. Make sure you did all of your hair removal and moisturizing the day before so your skin absorbs the tan properly, and make sure you concentrate on commonly missed areas like the knees, ankles, elbows, and hands. You should then leave your tan to develop properly, and shower off the next day or later on that night.
Choose a Bikini to Suit Your Body Type
The right bikini can make a world of difference! First you must learn your body type. There are a variety of body types, ranging from: apples, pears, hourglasses, bananas, and upside down triangles, to ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorphs. For example, you could be a pear shaped endomorph, or even a hourglass mesomorph. An ecto is a naturally skinny person, a meso is a naturally athletic built person, and an endo is somebody who naturally carries more fat. You probably already have a rough idea of what you are. There are plenty of tutorials on the internet so you can see exactly how to choose the bikini to flatter your shape. Don’t forget to accessorize the bikini either – treat it like any other outfit!
Exfoliate
Exfoliating regularly with a product like Frank Body will help to get rid of any dead skin cells making your skin to appear dull, and will help to smooth out cellulite. You’ll get a lovely, smooth appearance and glowing skin! Don’t forget to moisturize all over regularly either, so your skin looks and feels lovely and soft.
These 5 body tips will give you the summer holiday body of your dreams. Try them and look amazing on the beach!
[Image Credit: Shutterstock]
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Consult with a Doctor or Nutritionist before starting any diet or fitness program.
