Starting now, there are just over two months of summer until we hit the books! Two months is plenty of time to change for the better and look amazing next time you walk onto campus. I have come up with a few ideas that can really help improve your outer appearance this summer. All of my ideas can be accomplished in two months with a little dedication and a lot of self-control.
The first one involves weight. If you feel that shedding a few pounds will help you to feel better about the way you look there are a few things that you need to start on right away. Your diet is essential when trying to drop extra weight fast. Cut out all sugary beverages, especially pop. If you are a routine pop drinker, simply cutting it out will instantly allow you to drop a couple pounds and feel less bloated. Along with beverages you need to watch what you eat. Try and cut out extra calories you don’t need such as condiments. Eat grilled food instead of fried. Eat a side of veggies or fruit instead of a side of fries. You might feel like your depriving yourself at first, but eating healthy can be fun and become a habit. I used to drink a soft drink a day, I completely cut it from my diet about three years ago and now the thought of drinking it makes me sick. I don’t even want it anymore, the closest I get to carbonation is carbonated water and that’s a rarity.
Besides your diet, you need cardio! Cardio is the only way to burn fat. I hate to break it to you, but sitting still doing yoga poses is not going to burn the fat you want. You have to get busy. Either run, bike, elliptical, or swim. You need something to really get you moving in order to lose extra weight.
If you are satisfied with your weight but you’re what they call “skinny fat,” which is skinny but not toned, it’s time to tone up. Try working with dumbbells to get your arms toned and pretty. Do lunges with weights in your hands to tone up your legs and squats to tone your booty. Yoga and Pilates come in handy for toning as well. You could also do abs videos. Doing abs in a video always helps me work a little harder than trying to do crunches on my own. There are tons of videos on YouTube that can strengthen your stomach and help you get the lean look you desire. One of my favorites is Thin Q ten minute abs. This video has really helped me out because it slows the abs down and makes you really feel them. You need to do abs every other day, doing them every day will actually not allow you to see the results you want to see.
Another idea to help improve your appearance besides weight is hairstyle. You don’t have to dye your hair a new color to create a change. Try to either grow it out or cut a new style. This summer my goal is to grow mine really long! Another thing to try is to get a nice and pretty tan. Jergen’s natural glow lotion is a healthy way to get an even all over tan in just a week!
Have fun this summer and get to work! It will all be worth it when you walk onto campus confident and happy with the way you look. Surprise all your friends with the new you! Come ready to tackle the books without anything else in your way, be healthy, active, and happy this coming school year.
-Speedy G.