Staying Fit: How to have the body that you want for the summer!

Those who are close to me can testify how picky I am about what I put in my body, and how I dedicate so much of my time to my health and physical appearance. No, I’m not conceited! (Just a little vain-ha ha!) But I have a good reason you only have one body. It is your job to take a stand for your health because in the end, no one is going to do it for you.

You can do all the crunches and sit-ups in the world and STILL have those annoying love handles and the embarrassing muffin top. You exercised and busted your butt for so long, yet you still see NO improvement. Why is that?

Let me tell you this now- I am NOT a fitness expert. As a journalism major, most of my articles deal with human interests and health matters. I like to touch up on topics like beauty, make-up, fitness, managing stress, healthy alternatives, nutrition, the latest news in health care and medicine, skin care, biology and human anatomy, body issues, detox methods- you get the idea! However, I have enough experience with exercise routines, nutrition, and diet pills to give you some helpful tips.

I have to say this: WHAT YOU PUT INSIDE OF YOUR BODY IS WHAT WILL SHOW ON THE OUTSIDE. Truth of the matter is that you can’t exercise; yet still eat junk food, and visa versa. You have to eat healthy (which includes drinking lots of water) and exercise in order to see fast results, period. Really, there are no ifs, ands, or buts.

I noticed that when I cut a lot of sugar, meats, and dairy products from my diet- not only did my skin clear up, but my stomach was flatter, my mind was clearer, and I lost weight! I felt happier and more content with my body image. I started including lots of leafy green veggies, fruits, distilled water, homemade soups, and oatmeal in my diet helped to enhance my appearance and overall health.

Word of advice about diet pills: Do not buy diet pills thinking this is going to be a quick fix, because it could not be further from the truth! Some brands DO work, but guess what? I realized that most (if not all) diet pills include a list of guidelines and precautions, usually emphasizing that you have to EXERCISE AND EAT HEALTHY when taking the pills to get the optimal results fast. Isn’t that funny?

Ladies, there is a trend on the Internet about taking certain herbs and supplements that claim to help you get a bigger butt and a smaller waist. Please do not buy into thinking this is true. Yes, in some cases you take a pill and gain weight in the desired regions, but the only way to increase muscle mass in your derriere is to do strength training, preferably with weights. Doing squats, donkey kicks, and leg lunges worked wonders for me!

If you are trying to loose weight, the most important exercise to do is one that will make you sweat like nobody’s business. I’m talking about cardio!! Exercises that target he cardiovascular system (walking, jogging, running, swimming, dancing, bicycling, etc) help to melt fat away from your whole body. Some people choose to take the extra step by wearing a sweat suit or a sauna belt that helps them sweat even more in a selected region. Cardio in general keeps the body in shape and healthy, so this should be done regardless if your goal is weight loss or not.

I recommend buying a good workout video and find the time and space to exercise in your own home. That way, you don’t have to pay ridiculous gym membership prices, or being self conscious about working out in front of other people. My all time favorite workout video is Mel B’s Totally Fit. Her routines are fun and easy to do, yet challenging and you WILL feel the burn afterwards-trust me. She has a great personality that keeps you engaged in the workouts, so you won’t get bored with her!

Taking care of your body from the inside will reflect on the outside. So if you want to fit into that bikini without the worry of looking like a busted can of biscuits- get to work as soon as possible. What ever your goal is- take the steps now to achieve it.