Getting Fit for the Summer Beach Season
With April underway, it’s almost time to bring out those bikinis, one-pieces and board shorts (and the all-important sunscreen). However, if you aren’t feeling so confident about your beach body, don’t sweat it. The following tips will have you feeling your best come the start of summer.
Watch what you eat
Diet is the single most important factor for weight loss, so cutting junk food out of your diet may be the key to your success. Start by cutting calories and steering clear of foods high in refined carbohydrates such as white bread, white rice and sugar. These ingredients, which are common in processed foods, are associated with increased food cravings, as well as overeating.
Incorporating potassium-rich foods into your diet such as bananas, spinach and sweet potatoes will also make you look and feel slim. These foods help the body flush out excess sodium, which can result in decreased bloating. Moreover, eating potassium-packed foods can lead to a number of other health benefits, such as improved blood pressure and decreased fatigue and stress.
In addition to eating well, it is important to stay hydrated. A recent study from the University of Michigan Medical School found that drinking more water and eating water-loaded fruits can help with weight management, especially for those who are obese or overweight. The study also reveals a link between inadequate hydration and higher body mass index (BMI). Tip: Try drinking a glass of water before each meal. It will make your stomach feel fuller before eating.
Focus on toning and tightening
In addition to healthy eating, you will need to include time for exercise. To achieve a lean physique, focus on a combination of cardio and strength training. Cardio exercises will help to shed fat quickly, while strength training workouts will aid in muscle toning. Exercises such as squats, lunges and planks are not only great for targeting the legs, glutes, calves and core, but also help speed up your metabolism, which allows you to burn more calories.
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional exercise routines, there are plenty of workout classes that will yield bikini-body results. Pilates is a mid-intensity exercise, great for building strength in your core, flexibility and balance. Zumba, a dance-fitness class that combines cardio, muscle conditioning and boosted energy, is another effective workout that is often so much fun, you may forget you’re even exercising!
Consider non-surgical body contouring
If you’ve been exercising and have had success with reaching some of your weight loss and body goals, but still have persistent areas of concern, it may be time to consider a new, non-invasive, fat removal procedure called CoolSculpting®. CoolSculpting eliminates the need for surgery and downtime by utilizing technology that safely and effectively targets fat cells underneath the skin.
Consider surgical body contouring
The UF Health Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics Center also offers several other options for body contouring surgery that can reshape almost any area of the body, including liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), brachioplasty (arm lift surgery), thigh lift and surgery after massive weight loss. These surgeries improve the shape and tone of underlying tissue, resulting in tighter and smoother skin. Our board-certified plastic and cosmetic surgeons are here to help you accomplish your goals and achieve a more proportioned figure.
“Body contouring is all about making you feel better about yourself,” said Bruce A. Mast, MD, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Florida College of Medicine. “At UF Health, we have non-surgical methods to get rid of modest areas of unwanted fat, with almost no downtime. Various surgical procedures are also available. We always provide detailed individual and personal evaluations and will provide advice for what will work for you.”
If you are interested in finding out more about CoolSculpting, the UF Health Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics Center is hosting a free beach body event on April 21, 2017 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet our CoolSculpting experts, receive a free consultation and register to win a free treatment. Call 352.265.8402 to reserve your spot today.