Getting Ready for Swim Suit Season? Here are Some Things I Have Been Doing to Prepare Myself

We can't stop it. Summer is coming and it's time to prepare. I know that it is pretty typical for many of us to slack off for a during fall and winter and just be completely lazy and stuff our faces. So when spring comes around we know its time to buckle down. At least it has been this way for me so far. I tried on my bathing suit for the first time a few weeks ago and I was totally horrified!

Since then I decided to try a few things that would help the pounds come off and allow me to tone up.

1. I cut as many calories as I could tolerate. It is tough but very much worth it. I also stocked up on foods that are full of protein.
2. I love salads and always thought that they were all healthy for me. I was wrong. When you add certain dressings, bacon bits or cheese, those are calories piled on.
3. Eat fiber rich foods. They will help to prevent bloating (which I tend to have an issue with). Also, skip salts if you can.
4. Sit up straight! Slouching can cause your stomach to look rounder and that's just a big 'no no'
5. Get active. Get up off of the couch and stop telling yourself it's okay to be lazy. Clean the house, ride a bike, or just walk the block a few times.
6. There are two really easy and effective workouts that have helped me: push ups and squats. I know, I know, they aren't fun at all. However, they will help tremendously. You could even try a Pilates class.
7.  If you are a frequent beer drinker, you may want to cut back. The yeast in beer is not good for your weight.

All of these tips have helped me to lose about 13 pounds in about a month or two. I also like to walk a couple miles on the treadmill when I can.

If there was anything else I would suggest to you, it would be to shop for your body type. As women, we are all shaped differently. From pear shaped to lean and tall, different bathing suits will look different on all of us.

Always make sure that you are protecting your skin in the Summer heat. I ALWAYS use sunscreen or a tanning lotion with a high SPF in it. I burn very easily and they causes wrinkles (and we don't like those). Keep your skin hydrated with a good moisturizing lotion as well.

More important than any of this, make sure that you are striving for happiness and to see progress and not to be perfect. Change is a great thing. However, being healthy is the most important thing. You are all beautiful in your own ways!