Everybody wants to be in shape for bathing suit season, but all those fun seasonal activities — from barbecues to vacations to baseball games — can derail a diet.
Here are some tips to help you get fit, so you can look and feel your best all season:
Vacations
It’s tempting to leave healthy habits behind when heading out of town. But an off week can permanently wreck your diet.
When possible, opt for active vacations, such as camping trips or touring a city by foot. If you’re planning a more sedentary getaway, stay somewhere with a fitness facility.
Vacations can be rare, so don’t sacrifice all the treats of the trip. Prioritize meal-time indulgences so you can enjoy yourself mindfully. For travel days, pack healthful snacks such as fresh fruit, nuts and yogurt as alternatives to high-calorie airport or roadside food.
Daily Diet
It’s important to assess whether you’re eating the foods you need to get “fit,” versus foods that merely encourage weight loss, say experts.
“Unfortunately, many fad diets can leave you feeling fatigued, sluggish or undernourished,” says Andrew Eckhardt, Owner and Founder of ThinSlim Foods and a veteran diet food consumer.
To eat right, don’t starve yourself. Stock up on fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy and lean meats. And just because you’re slimming down or maintaining your already svelte figure, doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice your favorite foods or go carb-free.
“Alternative foods can allow you to enjoy favorite options without expending your calorie budget in one meal,” says Eckhardt.
Try replacing standard cake or wheat flours with healthy alternatives, like oat fiber and almond fiber. In one shot, you’ll cut calories and increase your protein and fiber intake. If regular baking is unrealistic, look for brands that replace low-quality inexpensive flours and sugar substitutes with good-for-you alternatives.
For example, ThinSlim Foods, makes brownies, cookies, bagels, bread and even pizza using healthful ingredients like oat fiber, almond flour and the all-natural sweetener Erythritol. These low fat and low carb foods eliminate artificial flavors, preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup and synthetic colors. They also have 50 to 70 percent less carbs and fat compared to other market options. The brand’s master bakers worked alongside nutritional experts to confirm that they are appropriate for gluten-free, hypoglycemia and other digestive and dietary sensitivities.
More information about healthfully incorporating baked goods into your diet can be found at www.ThinSlimFoods.com.
Exercise
Spring is a great opportunity to start a fitness regimen that you can stick with all year. You should strive to get at least two and a half hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, preferably spread throughout the week, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Additionally, you should incorporate muscle-strengthening activities into your regimen to stay strong and improve your metabolism. A workout buddy can help you stay motivated.
Wherever spring takes you, you can look and feel great, while enjoying all your favorite foods and activities.
