Slim for Summer
It's pretty much a given that most of us want to get slim for summer, so what we need of course is a summer diet.
One of the best things to have in your summer weight loss plan is fruit, and plenty of it. While we're getting slim for summer we're also getting a whole bunch of the essential vitamins and nutrients we need, not to mention the fact that fruit is absolutely luscious to eat, especially on those hot sunny days. Plus the fact that fruit doesn't take much preparation or cooking!
Another reason why it's maybe easier to get slim for summer than in other seasons is that we're generally more active in summer, so without realizing it we burn more of the calories we take in.
Summer diets are great because they can easily feature the foods as they come into season, and there's so many foods in the summer months that there's really no need to work at creating variety in your meals - it's all done for us.
Much of the food available throughout summer also contains a good portion of fibre - a great help in losing weight as part of a balanced diet. Shaping your waist and flattening your bum has never been so easy.
Another great thing about getting slim for summer is that results often come much quicker, and that makes a real difference in keeping you going. Even after a week you'll probably feel lighter and healthier in yourself. After a couple of weeks you'll see a real difference and so will other people, and there's nothing like someone else noticing that we've lost weight to spur us on.
As you slim for summer on your liquid-filled fruit diet, it's still a good idea to drink lots. As you take in more fluid your body flushes out all the toxins. You'll find your waist will deflate, your face will feel less puffy and your body in general will feel more taught and firm. It's a great way to get in shape before your summer holiday.
If you manage to stay on the summer diet for three weeks, you'll be well on your way to building the habits that go towards creating a healthier lifestyle. So not only will you be getting slim for summer, you'll be getting slim for life.
We all know that dieting is not the easiest thing in the world to stick with, so here's a few tips to make it easier and to keep you going.
Always drink your fruit juice before your breakfast, not with it. If you can also leave a little gap between drinking your juice and eating breakfast, all the better. Your appetite will have lost it's edge and you'll eat a little less.
On the subject of eating less - try to practice portion control. We all make the mistake of waiting until we're really hungry and then eating too much. Try stopping eating before you feel full and waiting for 10 minutes or so. You'll notice that even though you're not eating any more you'll still stop feeling hungry simply because you've given your body time to catch up with you and stop sending hungry signals.
Experiment with texture and taste. Getting slim for summer provides a great opportunity to try different foods. Pick up a couple of those exotic fruits in the supermarket - you never know, you might get hooked, and at the very least it will keep you from getting bored.
Avoid fizzy water if you can. You should be drinking at least two liters of water a day and if you include fizzy water you may struggle to drink enough, apart from the fact that fizzy water makes you feel bloated, which is the last thing you want.
This article was written by Jon Murray for Help & Advice.
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