The Summer Body For Your Summer Fitness Goals 

When people hear the term “summer body,” a standard image tends to come to mind. Generally, the summer body look is one that individuals have been working on for some considerable time and are proud to show off the results in public, say at a beach. 

It’s not all just about having a perfect tan; instead, for men and women, it’s about looking toned and not carrying any extra pounds of body fat. For males, this can also include adding extra muscle mass, as this helps to complement the stereotypical ideal summer body.

All individuals who want the summer body look need to know that this is not achieved overnight. Unfortunately, it takes months of hard work and discipline, and many steps need to be taken over a more extended period. While it depends on your body type, one of the best times to kickstart the journey is late winter or early spring with a two-pronged approach. The first step is diet-related, and the other is all about exercise.

Even though your summer fitness goal may feel more short-term, dieting doesn’t mean that you should go ‘cold turkey’ on all the unhealthy foods you love to eat. Instead, focus on a sustainable balance. Regarding your exercise routine, try to include various activities to keep it fun, entertaining, and challenging. 

It is vital to enjoy physical activity, and each person’s exercise regime works best when they add routines that they find interesting. For example, if you like running or weightlifting, this should be a significant part of your weekly physical activity.

Furthermore, you do not have to exercise seven days a week. The body needs some recovery time between workouts to rebuild and grow stronger and leaner. Your muscle fibers need time to recover and repair to increase your muscle mass slowly.

What Should Your Meal Plan Consist Of?

There are plenty of different diets in circulation, and the list continues to grow as society becomes more aware of what is and isn’t good for them. This can make choosing a diet plan an absolute minefield. Some ways of eating tend to be fads, while others are risky at best and should be avoided. 

Everyone has their preferences for different foods, so no one particular diet works for all. However, one universal rule applies to nearly everyone—eating a balanced diet that will give you a wide range of vitamins and minerals will help your body flourish. Carbohydrates, protein, and fiber are essential things to consume daily to keep you healthy, as well. 

Unrefined carbohydrate sources such as beans, broccoli, lentils, and whole grains can be vital energy providers. They need to be included in your meal plan; you are at risk for side effects like fatigue that could prevent you from reaching your fitness goals if you don’t have enough of them.

While eating enough healthy foods is an important focus, cutting down on treats with high amounts of fat, sugar, and refined carbohydrates is essential, too. Try replacing typical desserts with similar items made healthier, such as low-sugar protein bars and date balls.

Fish, such as salmon and cod, contain polyunsaturated fats and are low in saturated fats. Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in oily fish like mackerel. These fats help maintain your cardiovascular health and prevent several health risks. Omega-3 fats also contain anti-inflammatory properties that reduce your risks for various ailments. While all fish contain these nutrients, it is best to avoid farmed fish because they are not fed a natural diet.

Other foods that either help burn fat or build muscle are lean chicken, turkey, tuna, chickpeas, low-fat yogurts, nuts, berries, and green tea. Including these in your diet will ensure an adequate supply of antioxidants in your bloodstream. 

A common misconception associated with losing weight fast is eating as little as possible. This is completely untrue, as it can slow down your metabolism and help you develop nutrient deficiencies – two things that can hurt you long-term. You can still lose weight and burn body fat while eating a healthy, moderate amount of calories daily. 

How Long Does It Take to Get in Shape?

A summer body cannot be achieved quickly, and a lot of patience is required for success. Once the winter months are done and your cravings for comfort foods reduce, develop a focused and sustainable eating strategy.

Springtime is great for gently easing into a more active lifestyle that can include running, weight training, yoga, or anything else that lets you burn calories and increase overall muscle mass. This means that individuals can prepare for a “summer body” at any time, although performing healthy habits all year round will help you reap the most benefits. 

Doing this can be especially hard during holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, as overindulging is fairly common during the winter months. However, joining a gym or having your exercise equipment at home can help you keep healthy and fit all year round and give you a head start in achieving your summer fitness goals. 

If you like to let go during the winter months, positive physical results can still be obtained within three months, but only if you stick to a consistent diet and exercise routine.