Collegiettes, summer is right around the corner! What better motivation to get in shape than bikini season? We compiled a list of five diet tips to help you get ready for some fun in the sun this upcoming summer! Our diet tips are a combination of what foods to eat (and not eat) and easy exercise tips!
1. Water: Cut out all the juices and sodas and if you’re of age, alcohol. These all have so many calories and calories eventually turn into weight gained. And don’t be fooled, diet soda will not help you with your goals to lose weight. There are many artificial sweeteners in diet sodas that have been proven to cause weight gain. Drinking water is also good for your skin! Many people that only drink water tend to have clearer and smoother skin. Tip: Aim to drink eight 8oz. glasses of water a day.
2. Set alarms on your phone: Getting a gym membership is easy, you just have to sign on the dotted line and you’re done. Who’s to say that you will actually be motivated to go? We’ll admit it, it’s hard. We thought of a more realistic way to exercise! You can set workout alarms on your phone. This way you will be reminded to work out and can customize the workouts that you would like to do and at any time you would like! Tip: Start off easy with maybe 5 push-ups or maybe 25 crunches.
3. Start with a soup or salad: Eating a soup or salad before your main course will make you fuller and you will probably only eat about half your main course. When choosing your soup or salad, make sure that you are choosing the healthiest choice. You may ask, “How can a soup or salad be unhealthy?” Well, there’s many ways with toppings. Toppings like cheese, certain types of dressings, and for those of you that like bacon, these may all sound tasty to you. Adding certain toppings can actually make a soup or salad not so healthy. Tip: See green! No matter what is running through your head at the salad bar, make sure that when you make your way back to the table, your plate is 75% green if not all of it.
4. Eat more fruits and veggies: As children, we learned about the food pyramids and how much grains, fruits, and vegetables we are supposed to have a day and even though we are adults now, those requirements are still important. According to the MyPlate, half of our pate should be vegetables and fruits. Tip: Have a colorful plate! If your plate is colorful, chances are it’s full of fruits and vegetables!
5. Get some Zzz… Getting sleep is important for many reasons, but when it comes to dieting, it sure does come in handy! The longer you stay up at night, the more you eat. You may begin to have weird cravings and do everything you can to satisfy them. Cut out the cravings and get some sleep. You will feel energized in the morning and you’ll be happier! Tip: set an alarm on your phone for when you hope to be in bed and make sure it’s not too late.
There you have it! We hope that these tips will help you achieve your goals and just remember, YOU CAN DO IT!
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