Yes, it’s that time of year again … I know when it’s imminent because my mailbox starts to bulge with all the latest diets to get a great body in just six weeks!
In media circles this is known as bikini diet time and usually coincides with the 6 weeks prior to the school holidays when just about everyone seriously considers trying to drop a few pounds in order to look beach beautiful. So any day now you will see a whole host and more of features on the latest diets to get a quick fix. If my mailbox is anything to go by then many of them will be scarily extreme and be very short on sound nutritional advice. My inkling is that they will not do the job, nor have any staying power. Yes, you might drop a few pounds quickly but that excess will come back (and perhaps with some more) the moment you revert to normal eating.
I therefore was elated to see something much more sensible, doable and endurable from Weight Loss Resources. They are the people I turn to and rely upon when calculating all the nutritional stats for my recipes – their data base of foods and handy tool to check recipe stats is unbeatable. They also have some sensible regimes you can follow and track for losing or maintaining weight. Do check them out.
But back to their advice for getting bikini ready – it’s not ground-breaking or rocket science (but then sensible and sustainable solutions rarely are):
FIVE SIMPLE WAYS TO GET BIKINI READY THIS SUMMER!
Is your summer holiday looming scarily near? Looking into ways to get your body ready for that teeny weeny bikini you have had your eye on? Well look no further! Laurence Beeken, Food Information Executive at Weight Loss Resources shares his top, achievable tips.
1. Avoid Faddy Diets! (In fact don’t diet at all!)
In reality, no matter how many promises they make, quick fix diets do not provide a long term solution for weight loss.The restrictive nature of fad diets quickly leaves us craving sugary, fatty foods so that we give up and pile the pounds back on, usually with a few more – just what you don’t want!
2. Be More Active!
You don’t necessarily need to become a slave to the gym! Brisk walking or dancing around your living room will do.Take every opportunity to increase your activity- go upstairs to use the loo, walk to the shops, walk up the escalators, find the furthest parking space in the car park!
3. Plan Ahead!
Plan every meal ahead to ensure you have the right food available at the right time!
4. Eat Regularly! (Including breakfast)
Regular meals, including breakfast, help you to regulate how much you eat by stabilising blood sugar levels and allow you to recognise natural feelings of hunger and fitness.
5. Eat Slowly!
It’s not hard to eat slowly, but will take a bit of practice and conscious effort to start with to make it a habit. Here’s how to do it:
Take smaller mouthfuls
Chew slowly
Put your knife & fork (or spoon) down between mouthfuls
Try to eat slower than anyone else eating with you
I don’t think I will ever have a bikini body again but do make the effort to look swimsuit ready for the summer holidays. I used to be a bit of a chicken and hide under a vast cover-up – now I tell myself that my body needs and deserves some Vitamin D top up. But I do leave the bikini for the chicken!
CAROL
Tips courtesy of www.weightlossresources.co.uk