Now I’m no health professional, and I don’t pretend to be. What I definitely am though is a professional dieter! Since I was 14 I’ve always been on some kind of fad diet. Forever trying to lose those illusive ‘last 5 kilos’ I would be completely suckered in by magazine covers promising that the latest ‘lemon detox’ was going to help me lose it and reach my goal weight. I’m sure many of you can relate to this!
I yo-yo dieted for YEARS! Yeah sure, I would lose a few kilos, but they would always find me again…and they’d bring their friends with them too! The curse of the yo-yo is that even when you do lose the weight it’s usually not sustainable. Old habits creep in and you’re back to square one quicker than you can say calorie-restricted diet!
Fast-forward to today and I can happily say I’m a reformed yo-yo dieter! This is thanks to a few key things that have really helped me take control of my health. I came to a realisation that it’s about being healthy, not about being a size 8. I chucked my scales away and haven’t looked back!
With years of failed diets under my belt, I’ve finally found what works for me long term. Here are some tips I use to stay bikini body ready all year round. We travel a lot, so it’s sometimes hard to keep those holiday kilos from creeping on! Keep these five tips in your arsenal and you will be stripping down to your two-piece feeling AMAZING!
Drink Water… and Lots of It!
You’ve probably heard this a million times but it’s true. Hydration is super important if you want to drop a few kilos or simply stay healthy. Drinking two litres of filtered water per day will help you not only look better but feel better too. Remember, this is on top of what you drink when you’re exercising as you lose a heap of fluid through sweating.
BONUS: Carry an 18/8 stainless steel water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated on the go. Our 800ml Kleen Kanteen bottles travel the world with us!
Ditch the Processed Foods
This is a big one that I wasn’t really aware of in my dieting days. Many ‘low-fat’ or ‘diet’ items on sale at the supermarket are loaded with hidden nasties like preservatives, colours, refined sugar or worse, high fructose corn syrup! What’s worked for me is preparing my own meals where possible and if I can’t for whatever reason (difficult when travelling) I stick to fresh veggies and salads (no salad dressing), lean protein, grilled fish and eggs. I am a bread fan (gasp!) and try and stick to rye bread. It definitely agrees with me better than wheat based bread, say no to the bloat!
Find an Exercise Routine That Works For You!
We all know that exercise is a key component to getting that bikini body in great shape. The problem I always had was finding something that I found enjoyable. I tried running and honestly, I hated every minute! I know there are heaps of people who love it but I can’t think of anything worse than pounding the pavement for miles.
Swimming was something I liked to do for a while but the novelty wore off and to be honest I am just not built to swim in the freezing cold ocean in winter. A heated pool maybe! Now there will be some of you who like to do your work out in a traditional gym. Personally, I get SO bored with this type of exercise and lose interest very quickly.
Good news is I’ve FINALLY found something that works for me, and I absolutely LOVE it! F45 Training has changed my life, for those of you who haven’t heard of it, look it up. There’s probably one near you as they are popping up everywhere!
My advice is, find a workout style that you love and establish a consistent persistent routine. Better yet, grab a couple of friends and hold each other accountable in the process. In my experience you’re much more likely to succeed as part of a group!
Abs Are Made In The Kitchen…Nutrition is King!
You’ve probably heard of the 80:20 rule. Well this definitely applies to bikini bodies. 80% of your results will come from what you put in your mouth…that’s right, your nutrition. I’ve gone through phases of killing myself in the gym doing workouts I hated 7 days a week only to go out and stuff my face with pub food and a few beers. Needless to say, my results were reflective of the fuel I was putting in my body…not great!
I’ve now found an amazing nutrition program that works for me and is super easy to incorporate into my life. It’s also perfect for our travelling lifestyle too! The main thing to know is that if you really want results is that all calories ARE NOT created equal. 500 calories of ice cream isn’t the same as 500 calories of green leafy veggies. Get what I’m saying?
Balance is the key, eat well and make sure you’re eating enough of the right food.
BONUS: We’ve got a whole crew of people using our nutritional system now and it’s awesome to see everyone getting amazing results. If you’re keen to give it a go, contact us and you’ll have a whole support team to cheer you on! You’ll never look back!
Kick the Booze
Ok, I know you don’t want to hear this…but alcohol could be the number one reason why you’re not getting the results you want. I could talk all day about how quitting the booze has dramatically improved my life, but when we’re talking about getting bikini body ready, a break from the bubbles could really help to kick start your results!
Think about it, when you’re not drinking you are so much more likely to stick to your healthy eating and exercise plan, plus, you won’t be reaching for the greasy salty hangover food the next day. Not to mention how many empty calories there are in alcohol!
I know that quitting altogether is a huge stretch for most people, but just think about how amazing you’ll feel in your bikini when you’re on holiday. A couple of weeks off the booze will be completely worth it. And just think how amazing that first cocktail will be on your holiday!
BONUS: According to many studies out there, giving up alcohol for one month may significantly improve your health. Those who do sleep better, have more energy, better concentration and usually drop a few kilos too!