How to Get Fit Quick for Beach Season?

Now that Jack Frost has finally departed from the weather forecast, everyone can begin gearing up for beach vacations and pool parties. The summer months bring the sun, the sand and the anxiety. Gym memberships seem to skyrocket during this time with the masses trying to diligently prepare for the dreaded “swimsuit season.” If you have some apprehension about your beach body, look through this list to help you get into shape quickly and safely so you can enjoy your summer and look great at the same time.

Water

If you want to drop a few pounds quickly, drink as much water as you can. Water flushes out toxins, salts and reduces bloating in the midsection. By ridding the body of these materials, you can feel more energy, have more productive bowel movements and better hydration. Humans are 60% water and require a diet that includes large amounts of water to remain in the peak of fitness. Water is especially important in the summer months because of the high temperatures, people sweat out a large amount of water and need to replace it. So be sure to have at least 6-8 glasses of water per day to help with your beach body efforts.

Exercise

It is an old mantra but the best way to lose weight and remain healthy is to use a combined effort of diet and exercise. The best exercise for the fastest results is a combination of cardio and strength-training exercises. Cardio exercises like running, jogging, swimming or any exercise that allows for a continuous elevation of the heart rate are best for gaining results because they metabolize fat molecules quickly. Strength-training exercises like weights or other forms of resistance allow for the muscles to become stronger. When used together, fat molecules are blasted away and replaced with strong, healthy muscles and give the overall appearance of fitness.

Diet

Many people make a common mistake of “crash dieting” before beach season begins thinking that significantly reducing their caloric intake will help them lose weight faster. While you may lose a few pounds in the beginning with this method, it is primarily water weight and will return faster than you think. Furthermore, the body needs fuel to properly metabolize fat molecules and to perform exercise, so going without food is actually doing yourself a greater disservice. Instead fill your diet with lots of fresh greens, vegetables, and lean proteins. Carbohydrates are best before a workout as they give the body fuel to burn. By eating your daily-recommended caloric intake and exercising a few times a week, you will see results but even more important, you won’t feel like you are depriving yourself or hurting your body.

Lose the Bad

In addition to adding all of those wonderful, nutritious options to your diet, there are other foods that you should lose altogether in your better body initiative. Fried foods, greasy foods, sweets, candies, sodas and any foods where the primary ingredients are oil and butter – lose them. Everyone loves these foods but unfortunately they add no nutritional value to your diet so the fat calories just stick to the body. Even worse than that, most of these foods cause bloating and skin problems. And you want neither of those problems near you while you’re in a swimsuit.

It may seem like most of this information is common sense but most do not heed these suggestions because they are looking for quicker, easier fixes in order to be ready for beach season. But the thing with quick fixes is that they fix quickly and then the results disappear just as quickly. Instead, choose options that show long-term improvements and can help elevate your physical and mental self as well. Any other questions about health and a stable body physique can be directed to MRI Metairie specialists at doctorsimaging.com/.

This article was written by M.G. Bachemin in association with Doctors Imaging.