4 Ways To Stay Motivated During Bikini Off-Season
Scene: Before you know it, Summer 2016 is around the corner. You are unbelievably excited that your much-anticipated Cabo getaway is within arms reach, but reality sets in — you only have one month to get your winter body into shape for that new bikini you spent February’s paycheck on! You begin thinking of everything you could have done differently over the past few months, but (we hate to say it) it’s far too late for regret. So, why not prepare for bikini season…now?
We know, we know, the last thing you want to do during the chilly months of winter is think about being in a bikini, but we are here to tell you one very important tip: Bikini bodies are made in winter! There, we said it. We all tend to go into hibernation and put on an extra layer of fat when the temperature drops (it’s the best way to keep our legs warm, right?), and the guilt of splurging on an extra order of Animal Style Fries from In-N-Out isn’t as bad when you have a bulky layer of clothes to cover your not-so-bikini-ready body. Still, being bikini-conscious during the long, miserable months of winter is more beneficial than you may think. To make your winter-to-summer transition a breeze, stay motivated during this bikini off-season with these 4 easy tips!
Keep a food journal. This might sound tedious, but trust us — it will change your life! A lot of women don’t want to keep a food journal because they’re afraid of feeling that extra sting of guilt when they have to write down their not-so-great meal breakdown from last weekend’s trip to Vegas. Although you might have to confess to a few more calories than you prefer to admit to, keeping track of your food intake is key in staying on track with your diet. So you had a few too many cheat days…it’s not the end of the world, and because they are written down in your food journal, you can plan ahead for the upcoming weeks and not give yourself as much wiggle room when you get that craving for deep fried chicken wings. Plus, it’s an excuse to purchase that stylish journal you’ve had your eye on (like the adorable Kate Spade Dot Your I's Spiral Notebook)!
Set reachable goals. Although making plans to spend all of your free time getting fit for summer might sound like a good idea, it’s not. It isn’t that we don’t think you can do it (because we definitely know you can), it’s that motivation tends to lack during the cold months of winter, and you’re better off sticking to an easy, gradual routine. So, instead of slamming your schedule, incorporate bits and pieces of your normal summer workout routine into the long months of winter. A little can go a long way!
Get some sleep! Did you ever think we would recommend staying in bed that extra hour? Well, we are here to tell you that getting an extra wink of sleep can greatly benefit your body this winter. Why? Because a rested body = a happy metabolism! So, take advantage of the not-so-appealing cold weather and give your body the sleep it deserves to get your metabolism running at its full potential. Besides, there is nothing better than being able to admire the beautiful snowfall from your warm, insulated apartment, right?
Keep it simple. Simplicity is key when establishing a fitness, food, and lifestyle plan this winter. So, let’s do just that — Watch what you eat, yet allow yourself some cheat days. Pencil 2-3 gym days into your weekly schedule, but don’t fret if you occasionally skip a day to snuggle up next to a warm fire. And lastly, allow yourself to have the occasional lazy day to catch up on your much-needed sleep. That way, when summer rolls around, you’ll thank yourself for not completely giving into poor bikini off-season habits!
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