Photo by Jacob Townsend on Unsplash

We all dream about summer. We play out our vacation in our minds a dozen times during the day, and we imagine the sizzling hot beaches, the cool sea, catching up on our books, enjoying cocktails and parties, and finally getting to relax for a while. There’s only one nagging thought there – all those extra pounds. It’s a bit difficult to imagine yourself as a sexy beach goddess if you’re too scared to put on your bathing suit. But hey, it’s still spring, we’ve got room to maneuver. We all gain some weight during winter, but to shed it all off you need to start on time. So, to help you out and prep you for the fun days ahead, here are some of the essential tips you should follow to shape up!

Figure out the problem areas

The first step to solving a problem is, of course, identifying it. Which parts of your body would you say are the problem areas? Perhaps it’s love handles, or maybe your thighs have become chubbier than you’d like. These parts should be your focus when exercising.

Poses for a tougher workout

Photo by GMB Monkey on Unsplash

From downward-facing dog to the chair, some poses are particularly useful when it comes to shaping up all over. We recommend that you also incorporate various forms of the plank and warrior pose to really work on your core muscles and tighten your abs, legs, and back.

Eating clean

Photo by Jennifer Pallian on Unsplash

To lose weight, you absolutely must create a calorie deficiency. If you never exercised and decided to start now, you technically won’t need to go on a specific diet as long as you don’t up your calorie intake at all. However, progress will be slow, so to get the best result, we recommend a simple diet that is full of veggies, fruits, and leans meats. Cut down on sugar and processed food, cook as much as you can, and drink a ton of water every day. To figure out exactly how much you need to eat daily to lose weight, use a calorie calculator. We recommend that you stick to losing 0.5-1lb per week, no more than that.

Aesthetic procedures

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

For the best results, you can combine procedures such as liposuction with diet and exercise. Places such as MediSculpt offer non-surgical treatments like coolsculpting as well, so you can find a procedure that suits you needs. Coolsculpting freezes your fat cells and helps your body get rid of them naturally, but it’s best to speak to your plastic surgeon and ask for a recommendation. They’ll quiz you about what you expect and will tell you what kind of options and outcomes are available to you.

Yoga and dumbbells

 

Another way you can step up your yoga routine is to add a couple of weights. This is a super quick way to tone your arms, legs, and abs, and it’s perfect for anyone who’s looking for a tighter, sleeker body. There’s no need for anything complicated; all you need are light dumbbells, and you can easily incorporate them into your poses like this.

Mix it up with cardio

You never have to stick to only one type of exercise. Yoga is good both for your body and mind, and it will help you stay flexible, strong and toned, and if you combine it with cardio such as running, swimming, aerobics or cycling, you’ll also speed up your metabolism and start burning that excess weight quicker.

Outdoor exercise

Photo by Arek Adeoye on Unsplash

Outdoor yoga is also a great idea, especially now that the weather is nice. Simply exercising in your backyard can be immensely peaceful and meditative, but you could also organize your own little exercise camp with your best friends and meet up at the park or a nature trail every week to work out together. The best thing about this is that it will keep you motivated and eager to stick to your plan.

The basics of what you need to do are easy. The real challenge comes in staying consistent, so make sure to create a plan that you can actually stick to. Do your best to never miss a workout session and your summer body will be easy to achieve.

Contributing Author: Claire Hastings is Australian designer, writer and regular contributor at ripped.me. She’s been writing as long as she can remember, and she is very passionate about fashion, running, other cultures, and her cat. Social media links:  facebook, twitter