As the painter and arguable genius Vincent Van Gogh once said, “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” This small piece of advice is the most important part of the biggest challenge ahead – aside from making it through the semester – getting your body ready for the summer.
With Memorial Day Weekend not too far in the distance and the promise of the Jersey Shore being rebuilt stronger than ever, we ladies have a lot to look forward to, with many of us thinking we have a lot of work to do to get there. The most important thing to remember before starting a crazy diet or a burn-out work-out routine is that you have time, and should take your time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and no great body was built in one either. Here are some great easy ways to ease yourself into a routine that will have you beach ready by the time finals roll around (or sooner!)
Finding Comfort, Without the Comfort Food:
Despite wanting to reach for all the warm comfort food we can think to help ease the chill and pangs of starting a new semester, it won’t do much to help our post-holiday pounds. Slowly wean yourself off of the high sugar, high fat foods that kept you going during break and opt for ones that balance protein and carbs.
While there are some who don’t want to diet, the extra five pounds gained over break may still be bothering you. To avoid getting hung up on precise calorie counts, simply balance your fruits and vegetables with carbs and protein. Lean proteins, whole grains, fresh vegetables, and a cautious eye to foods high in sugar and fat can help you feel more energized and help break down the extra baggage.
Prevention.com also recommends a diet consisting of high alkaline based foods, as they help keep blood sugar levels under control and reduce inflammation. Foods such as pears, lemons and kale are great additions to a well-balanced diet.
Cardinal Rule of Water:
Loading up on coffee and Redbull is always inevitable but make sure to always drink plenty of water and try to cut out the sugar and caffeine ridden drinks where you can. Thermos makes a convenient eco-friendly bottle with notches to help you remember how much of your daily dose of water you’ve consumed. It’s a cheap and easy way to ensure your body is getting the proper water levels.
Happy Weight:
Find your healthy weight – don’t try to lose more than a pound a week, as it can put extra strain on your body that will end up making you more depressed than putting the putting on the weight did in the first place.
Easy Exercise:
Many gyms will start to advertise their post-holiday/pre summer specials on workouts specific to toning your thighs and tightening your core. Take advantage of your local gym, or watch our campus fitness center for classes targeting the areas your new swimsuit will show off the most.
If you’re exercising on your own, look to the areas you personally feel need the most attention and find exercises that suit them. There are plenty of books and guides (even on campus) that can help you find what’s right for you.
Crunches and a mix of cardio and strengthening exercises are a great way to keep yourself toned and your heart healthy, while helping you lose the holiday bulge as well. The following link from Fitday.com provides a 28 day work out plan to help you get on the right track (http://www.fitday.com/fitness-…).
Another option rising in popularity is heat yoga. Yoga, helping strengthen skeletal muscles and keep us at peace with our bodies and our minds is a great way to start the semester and the countdown to summer. Heat yoga adds the advantage of increased temperatures, helping detox your body and keep your muscles loose and well worked in the end.
Inevitably, it’s most important to figure out what will make you happy come the summer and build yourself a schedule and a plan around that. Make sure to always stay positive and don’t stress yourself out. Think of your body like the semester. Things start out gradual, and slowly build up, sometimes testing our patience. But, by focusing and pushing off the stress and rough patches, we have a product in the end we are proud to show off.
Photo Source: 1