Amid all the chaos happening in the world, staying on a fitness routine can be another way to reduce anxiety while sticking with your weight-loss goals.
Summer is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to hit the beach, and a lot of time you’ll be shirtless. If you want to look your best in the summer sun, now is the time to start getting in shape. Here’s the reality of how to achieve a beach body before summer.
1 – Give Up Alcohol
To change your physique, you’ll need to make some sacrifices, one of which is giving up alcohol. What you put into your body might be the most important thing you do. While some clear liquors have fewer calories, it’s in your best interest to stay away from alcohol completely because it offers no nutritional value. Besides, you’ll want to consume as much water as possible.
2 – Eat Plenty of Protein and Veggies
To get the results you want, you will need to eat plenty of protein and veggies with every meal. Some good protein includes chicken, salmon, and some plant-based options like tofu. To avoid getting sick of the same foods all the time, make sure you add some spice and hot sauce for taste. Another way to get enough protein in your diet is to eat protein bars and shakes. At the same time, don’t be afraid to consume carbohydrates either—just make sure they are low on the glycemic index like sweet potatoes and brown rice.
3 – Calculate Your Caloric Intake
Whether you are looking to bulk up or lose weight for the summer, it’s important to calculate your caloric intake. This will serve as your guide for how many calories you need to consume each day to reach your goals. You will also want to give yourself plenty of time to adjust your caloric intake.
4 – Meal Prep for the Week
To make your diet easier on yourself, the best option is to prepare your meals for the week. Take one day to make all the food you are going to eat in a week. This way, you’ll be less likely to cheat on your diet when you aren’t in the mood or are too busy with work.
5 – Do Fasted Cardio
While lifting weights will help you achieve a great looking beach body, don’t forget about cardio—especially when you are losing weight. There are many health benefits of doing cardio, and one of the best ways to reap the benefits is to do it on an empty stomach. This is known as fasted cardio, and it will help you lose weight because your body won’t have any glycogen to burn, so it will go straight to your stored fat.
6 – Weigh Yourself in the Morning
A final part of our guide on how to achieve a beach body before summer is to weigh yourself to track your progress. Invest in a scale that syncs with your phone via Bluetooth so you can see various trends with your health. It’s also important to weigh yourself at the same time in the morning every day to truly see your progression.