Summer’s here and you know what that means. No, not rainy days with the kids stuck inside driving you mad, or sitting on the beach wrapped from head to toe in a sarong because you’re too scared to show any flesh. Let’s be positive here people!
We might not be able to control the weather, but we can at least hope for a few sunny days. And failing that, there’s always your two weeks in some Costa or other with guaranteed sunshine to look forward to. Wherever your holiday destination is this year, it’s likely to involve higher than the average tepid temperatures we get here, which means t-shirts, shorts, sandals, and dare I say it – bikinis. And as you count down the days to summer events and special occasions, you will need to start ditching those baggy, dark clothes.
Oh yes, the dreaded B word rears its ugly head again. But before you start heading for the hills in fear, hear me out – please? Because I want to help you to get set for summer in 3 simple steps, and if you’re not feeling energised and motivated by the end of this, then I promise I’ll eat my sun hat.
First things first – get the diet sorted. And there’s no better plan to try right now than the Gi diet. GI stands for Glycaemic Index. This is used as a measure of how quickly carbohydrate foods raise blood sugar levels. Foods with a 'low GI' take longer to digest, helping you to maintain even blood glucose levels between meals. Low GI foods can help you to control your appetite by making you feel fuller for longer so that you resist the urge to overeat.
Next on the list is exercise - another word that some people dread. But there’s no escaping the fact that getting up and getting active, combined with your new GI diet will help to boost your metabolism, boost your weight loss and boost your energy levels. You’ve spent the dark months of winter sitting inside, so now is the perfect time to get out and about.
Begin gradually – get off the bus a few stops early on the way to and from work, go for a quick walk at lunchtime to clear your head, even invest in a skipping rope. You can skip to your heart’s content in your back garden and at the same time, tone up your legs and help to speed up the fat burning process. If you don’t fancy going back to your schooldays and jumping over a rope, then you can do any other form of exercise that suits you. It will all help towards getting fitter, slimmer and bursting with energy.
Last but not least is water. Get yourself a one litre, or even 500 ml bottle and keep it with you – filled – at all times. You should be aiming to drink 1 – 2 litres per day, but in summer when the weather is warmer and your activity level is higher due to your new exercise regime, you’re more likely to be dehydrated. So get into the habit of drinking lots of water and not only will you feel more energised, but your skin will also thank you after being dried out by all that central heating during the winter months.
And that’s it – it’s that easy. GI, exercise, water. Three simple steps and you’re ready to go. Keep this up all through the summer and beyond, and you’re guaranteed to feel fantastic all year long!