At this time of the year, most of us are looking for ways to lose weight, tone up and feel great in a bikini. The internet and magazines are filled with advice on how to get into shape ready to hit the beach, and there seem to be diet plans and advice everywhere you look.
But many quick weight loss plans are incredibly unhealthy, hard to stick to, and can even ultimately lead to weight gain or health problems.
The good news is that there are healthy ways that you can lose weight and shape up.
Get Some Help
Weight loss doesn’t come easy to all of us. Some people seem to drop the pounds quickly but for others, it can seem almost impossible. Fortunately, if you are struggling there is always help available.
A fat-burning supplement can help some people. Great Green Wall breaks down the pros and cons of the hourglass fit fat burner here. If exercise is something that you struggle with, a personal trainer to give you tips and advice is a great idea, and if you have any health concerns that make diet or exercise difficult then seeing your doctor could help.
SEE MORE: Things you’re not doing at the gym, but should be!
Set Small Attainable Goals
You might have a big goal in mind, but large targets, like losing a lot of weight, running a long distance, or hitting another big milestone can be overwhelming. Our fitness and weight rarely move in a straight line, there are typically plenty of ups and downs on the way to our bigger goals, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed and give up. Smaller goals such as a walk after dinner, losing a small amount of weight or enjoying a weekly swim with a friend are easier to stick to, and keep you moving in the right direction.
Find Movement That You Enjoy
Exercise is as important as diet when it comes to weight loss and more important if you are looking to tone up and change your body shape. But not everyone enjoys exercise, which can make it hard to stick to. If you hate the idea of an afternoon at the gym, try to find things that you do enjoy instead, remembering that all movement counts. Things like walking, dancing, and swimming can be great exercise and you certainly don’t need to get sweaty in the gym to tone up and gain fitness.
Make Small Swaps and Changes to Your Diet
You don’t have to give up all of the treats that you love to lose weight. Instead, focus on the small everyday swaps, like adding extra veggies to your meals, swapping fizzy drinks for water, and snacking on fruit, which can be more effective.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Getting more sleep can help you to lose weight and help your muscles to recover and build after exercise. It can also boost your energy levels and help you to feel more alert. Try going to bed earlier and getting into a daily routine for the best results.
Practice Intuitive Eating
One of the healthiest ways to shape up is to practice mindful or intuitive eating. This is when we listen to our bodies, eating when we’re hungry and stopping when we’re full, instead of trying extreme and restrictive diets.
Drink More Water
Drinking more water means that you are less likely to overeat or overindulge in alcohol. Water also keeps you hydrated and healthy.
The best way to get into shape the healthy way is to do it slowly, using a combination of these tips. Take your time, focus on small changes that you barely notice and exercise that you enjoy. This will boost your confidence and help you to feel better as well as tighten your muscles and tone your body.
