Top Tips Get Fit By Spring Break!

by Susan Cross | Posted: February 20th, 2012 | No Comments »

Spring break. It’s right around the corner and for me, it always represents that winter is coming to an end! Yippee.

As Spring keeps her promises it also reveals months of heavier eating, doing less exercise than usual, and being hidden under sweaters and down coats. As we peel off the layers it may occur to us that we’ll be putting on a bathing suit in 4 weeks – yikes!

I’ve mapped out a healthy way to feel great by holiday time. You will gain energy, lose weight and be bathing suit ready by spring break! You will be consuming delicious, lighter foods that keep your energy levels high, and your blood sugar balanced. This type of program is the most successful and can be done for four weeks or longer – or forever! If you want to lose weight, keep it off, and learn how to eat healthier – this is the way to do it.

This is your day to begin. You have four weeks let’s go!

Have a great breakfast: A protein smoothie is a great choice. Skipping meals, thinking you are recouping some of those winter calories will never work. It will slow down your metabolism even further and cause you to over eat later in the day. Studies have proven that women who eat breakfast lose more weight than breakfast skippers.

Caffeine: Allow yourself one cup of organic coffee or tea in the morning – no sugar, honey or cream. A little organic low fat lactose free milk is your best choice. The remainder of the day sip on water with lemon. Try to avoid all sugary drinks as they are filled with empty calories (no nutrients) and tons of sugar.

Exercise in the morning: Morning exercise jump starts your metabolism. Add some weights to keep your metabolism burning even longer. Women who exercise in the morning make better food choices the remainder of the day and are less likely to skip their exercise routine. Many excuses can arise between morning and evening – so get it over with.

Drink lots of water: Water helps remove toxins and salts from your body, rehydrates you, and really gives you energy. Often times we are fatigued from dehydration and we mistake it for hunger. Try to strive for 8 glasses of purified water and watch your skin glow, your energy rise, and your hunger may even vanish. Snack on grapefruit, lemon, cucumbers and pineapple. All of these cut fat and act as a diuretic.

Protein at each meal: Protein helps you burn fat and build muscle. You must eat protein at every single meal. Have some protein within thirty minutes of waking up and then make sure to have some every 3 hours. You should be having 3 meals and 2-3 small snacks per day. Great protein choices: Organic protein powder (for smoothies), eggs, fish, nuts, nut butters, chicken, lamb, lean grass-fed beef, bison, turkey, tofu, beans, hummus, cottage cheese, greek yogurt.

Veggies at each meal: Fill up on lots and lots of veggies at each meal. The veggies give you vitamins, nutrients and fiber – cleansing out your body naturally. Read some of my recipes for easy and delicious ways to incorporate your veggies. My husband always comments that he didn’t know he liked veggies so much – it’s all how you prepare them.

Whole delicious foods: No more processed items. If you can, and try to eat more home cooked meals for a few weeks – less sodium and bad oils. Steam, grill, broil and bake. No fried foods and no meal that comes in a box.

Fiber: If you want to lose weight, diminish the bloat, remain ‘regular’ and keep your body healthy, you must incorporate fiber in to your diet. Try not to do this with bars, as they have a lot of fake stuff in them. Whole grains in the morning and veggies are your best bet. You may want to get an organic fiber supplement from your health food store.

No White Stuff: Pass on the cereals, breads, cakes and pastas for a few weeks. Have Ezekiel sprouted bread in the morning and try to fill up on lean protein and veggies the rest of the day.

No Fakes: Please no fat-free foods, fat-free cooking sprays or artificial sweeteners. These are poison to your body.

Less Alcohol: Sorry ladies but the wine habit has to go on hold for a bit. If you really want to jump start your metabolism and lose some winter weight. Limit yourself to 1-2 on a weekend night. A Venus on the rocks or wine spritzer is your best choice.

NO night time snacking: After dinner do not eat any more food. Nothing. Ideally you want to stop eating 3 hours before you go to sleep.

Sleep: It’s the number one to boost your metabolism and to insure you don’t crave carbs. Try to get your eight hours! Sweet dreams.

Follow these tips for four weeks and you’ll be feeling happy and light once again.