Mark Greene
It does not matter if you’re thin or fat, any type of body is beautiful. But when people think of summer, they think of their ideal summer body and then wish to achieve that. As it is, however, people end up spending most of the winter only thinking about it. Only when summer is just around the corner do you think about actually starting to get that summer body.
Now, although getting in shape takes its due time, a month to get in shape is not at all a lost cause. Not only can you work your way towards your idealized summer look, but you can also get on track a physically fit lifestyle. So let’s look at the things we need to keep in mind as we work to get a summer body in four weeks.
Set a baseline and realistic goals to pursue
It is important for you to not get ahead of yourself as you set out to achieve this difficult task only to get demotivated later. First, you should evaluate your own fitness level and capabilities. Get an idea about how many pushups you can do in 1 minute, how many kilometers you can run in a day, or how many lunges you can do.
Create a baseline of the exercise that you can comfortably do and identify areas where you struggle. Then set realistic goals to achieve keeping in mind where you stand initially. It will not be any good to start by aiming to lose four0 or 50 pounds or gaining the perfectly toned muscles if you cannot realistically perform the exercise you need for that.
Set achievable goals which will allow you to progress upward and challenge yourself more as you get into the routine of working out.
Healthy Diet
Choosing between food and gym is never an easy task, but when it comes down to it, you will have to put your foot down. Eating out is something you will have to kick out of your schedules. Burgers, hot dogs, and fries may be something you love to eat regularly, but they will render all your workout efforts useless.
You will have to be very careful about the food you consume while you work out. You will have to cut out on oily foods and switch to eating healthy. Salads, fresh fruit, grilled meat, and eggs will be the kind of diet that will help you achieve the summer body you wish for.
Including protein in your diet will become necessary for you to achieve effective results. Protein powder will prove to be a very useful part of your diet to fill in the required protein input for your work out.
The power of stretching
People often underestimate the importance of stretching. Regardless of whether you are a young athlete or older, if you do not warm up properly before working out then you are likely to pull a muscle or get injured. This could be a major setback for you to recover from since time will be of the essence when you try to get your desired summer body in under a month.
A stretching routine aimed to also target the muscles you plan to work out on the given day, before the workout and even after the workout when you cool down, will prevent aches and injuries.
The caffeine boost
Caffeinated drinks are renowned for the energy jolt they give the consumer. Although people hold different views on whether caffeine is ultimately better or worse for your workout, one thing is for certain, it can provide you with the necessary boost to hit the gym.
If you are a coffee person, caffeine will give you the push and energy you need to face your work out. In the long run, it will prove beneficial in helping you achieve your task of getting the fit summer body.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration is your enemy when it comes to workouts. Make sure that your body is getting the required amount of water. Running will be a major part of your workout, and will also leave you craving for water. If your body is too low on water, you may feel dizzy or even blackout. You can avoid that by regularly drinking lots of water.
An added bonus of drinking more water is that it can make you feel less hungry. On many occasions what may be the feeling of hunger can easily be satisfied with having a glass of water. This will be important in ensuring that your diet plan stays on track.
The workout pal
Keeping track of your exercise plans, sticking strictly to your diet, and ensuring you do not skip gym days can become a difficult task. Sometimes you may need that extra motivational push, or may just be bored running at the jogging track alone.
Having a workout buddy can be a great motivational support for you. Your workout buddy can help you follow your goals and motivate you when you need. Working out together, you can ensure you and your friend both do not falter and will have a common goal to work towards.
Do not stop when summer ends
Having made all this effort and eventually started to achieve what you wanted, it would be a shame if you gave all of that away so quickly. Continue with the routines you have created so that you can have a healthy and fit lifestyle.
Staying healthy is very important and once you are on the track of a fit lifestyle, do not throw that away. Exercise regularly, eat healthily and stay motivated so that you can have the body you want to have all year round.
