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How to Get a 'Summer Ready' Body

By Joey Atlas
HealthLife.com Contributor
Updated: September 07, 2008
Spring is almost here - and that means Summer will be here very soon also. This is a time of year when many women start thinking about wearing shorts, skirts and yes, even bikinis (or maybe just a sexy one-piece). I'm not saying that your ready for this yet - but there's no reason why you can't be ready if you get started now on the right program that can fix your trouble spots and tighten up all the 'loose ends' you've let accumulate over the past year.

Here's a simple five step plan to help get you 'Summer Ready'.

Step 1 - Put on one of last year's bikinis and look at yourself in the mirror. Write down what you would like to change about your body and imagine how you would feel after those changes. Take a mental picture of how you look in the mirror remembering the changes you want to make, and make a promise to yourself to commit to making those changes.

Step 2 - Start exercising. If you haven't worked out in a while, start slowly and gradually build up your time and intensity so that you don't become discouraged and quit. Make yourself a schedule of where and when you want to work out. In general, you should work up to 25-35 minute cardio sessions 3-5 times a week, and 25-35 minutes of resistance/toning sessions 2-3 times a week. Sometimes these can even be combined. Workout sessions may vary week to week. If you have specific problem areas - be sure that your program addresses these problem areas.
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Step 3 - Keep a journal or notebook of everything you eat and drink, along with the calories associated with those items. Knowing how many calories you are taking in makes it much easier to adjust if you hit a plateau while trying to lose body fat. Don't be obsessive when keeping track of these calories or you will drive yourself crazy.

Step 4 - Stay committed to yourself. Remind yourself of your mental picture of how you look and how you want to look. Keep a list of your goals on your refrigerator, desk, and bathroom mirror. If no progress is being made, you may want to gradually increase your work sessions or time or tighten up on your calories.

Step 5 - Realize you are the only one in control of your body. Don't let other people sabotage your efforts. If you miss a workout, tomorrow is a new day. If you are tempted to eat too much or eat junk food, ask yourself if what you're eating is going to help you get the body you want. Remember, it is ok to "cheat" once in a while.

Your simple, new habits will be the magic that help you get 'Summer Ready.' Start right now by getting out your day planner or PDA and scheduling your first few exercise sessions and creating a simple grocery list of the types of foods you know you should be eating but haven' been. Close your eyes and think about what it feels like to be 'Summer Ready' and then think about the dreadful alternative. Which one of those scenarios do you want to experience in reality? Ok then - you know what to do.
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