A question that my girlfriends often ask me is how they can get into shape before taking a vacation. Many women find themselves on the point of panic when they think about exposing their bodies in summer beachwear. Luckily I have some tried and tested techniques that are guaranteed to improve the appearance of even the flabbiest backside.
Some years ago I was booked to model swimsuits for a magazine article and I was far from happy with my rear end. The sedentary winter months had resulted in butt expansion due to too much candy and not enough exercise. So I put a plan into action, focused on gaining firmer thighs and a trimmer butt, ready for those bikinis, flip flops and the unforgiving photographers camera.
1. Its important to kick off with a ‘can do’ positive mental attitude. Positivity is crucial. Try using some affirmations to help motivate you and retain your focus.
2. Drink a lot more water. Around 2 litres or 4 pints a day is recommended, as a minimum. This may sound a lot but when distributed over the course of a day isn’t that much.
3. Allow an hour a day for cardiovascular exercise. You may choose to go to a gym, which is what I did, or you may prefer to go running or cycling.
4. Every alternate day do some weight work. You may like to do this at home, but a gym is a good idea.
5. This is an important tip: stop eating at 7.00pm. No food in the evenings is another important step so drink water or maybe some juice.
6. Eat healthily. This means cutting back on fat, salt and sugar.
7. Try to introduce more vegetables, fruit and pulses into your diet. Increase Low Glycemic Index foods which help with weight loss such as cabbage, onions, broccoli and pulses.
8. Avoid high glycemic foods such as bread, pasta and ice cream.
9. Eat small and often. 4 or 5 small meals are far better than one large meal each day.
10. Relax by soaking in a herbal bath at least 3 times a week. These will provide much needed relaxation and by massaging the fatty areas of the body you can help to detox your skin and reduce the visible cellulite.
Following these tips for around 3 weeks to a month I am confident that you will see a reduction in unwanted body fat and when you hit the beaches you’ll not be tempted to cover up by wearing a wetsuit on the beach.