Here comes the summer again and, well, most of us have been sitting around, eating and, pretty much, sitting down looking at our monitors the bigger part of the year. While the totality of our existence is bound mostly to salty snacks, soda and the lives of internet cats, the nice weather coming our way is slowly but surely forcing us to physically separate ourselves from the coziness of our chairs and start thinking about the summer vacation. While it might seem as an impossible mission to turn yourself into anything suitable for the outside world, trust me, things are, in most cases, not that bad.
There is a lot of work to be done, that much is true, and be prepared to put in some effort, since we are working on a very tight schedule, but it is achievable to get in shape before the season ends.
Diet
Well, this might be the toughest part of this whole thing. Changing what you eat on a daily basis is hard, but very much achievable. Avoid excessive carbs and try to add more lean proteins. Drink a lot of water in order to keep yourself hydrated, and this is especially important during exercises. There are numerous diets online which will go into details on what to eat, but this is always the bottom line when it comes to exercising.
Avoid alcoholic drinks and sweets, since they can set you back in your efforts. It makes no sense to work hard and let it go to waste by indulging in these guilty pleasures. Also, avoid eating junk food and try focusing on a bit healthier and natural diet. Don’t starve yourself though, you will need energy to keep up with you training.
Exercise
Even if you have put on a few pounds over the winter or not (and you probably have), you still need to get back in shape. The lethargic nature of winter sees to that. Cardio works best for both cases, and you can feel free and choose the type that you like best. Jumping rope, jogging, bicycle riding, it will all help you shed those extra pounds and provide you with the ability to run 10m without getting winded. For the ultimate effect, do a combination of these and pair them up with a few days at the gym and you will be on your way to having a healthier body. As far as the workout program for the gym goes, you can always ask a trainer at the gym to help you out with creating a program that works for you.
Do it with a friend
It is much easier when you have support and someone to work with, so try convincing a friend to get in on the whole deal and you will keep each other motivated during this period. It is also a great idea to have someone to exchange tips with and to help you avoid slacking off. Also, jogging tends to be more fun, and a day at the gym passes more quickly when you are in good company.
Skin
As far as you skin goes, you will need to clean it up and adjust the skincare products that you use for the upcoming season. Avoid highly moisturizing products since they can cause you to sweat more. If you are having problems with dry skin you should probably take care of that before jumping into salty sea water. Acne breakouts can get more intense during the summer so, try not to give them the groundwork to do it more easily. Whiteheads can be a problem when it comes to cleaning up your face, but it is not something that can’t be resolved.
Keeping track of your progress
Beginnings are always hard, but the time needed to see and feel some progress is not really that long. Make sure you pull through the first period which is the most critical. Exercising and a good diet will have a positive effects on your mood. Also, after a couple of weeks, you start feeling a need to exercise. It becomes a part of your routine and your body starts asking for it. There is nothing better for you to get even more motivated than seeing the fruits of your labor, so keep an eye on your body.
I hope this helps you get ready for beach season. Remember, this isn’t just for cosmetic purposes. Your body needs a wakeup call for the most physically active part of the year. Good luck!
