Sadly, summer is coming to an end. We’ve all spent such lovely days by the pool, partying at night, and of course let’s not forget about the fabulous wedding parties. Such good times come along with great food, and the bikini look started fading away slowly but surely. Now that September has begun, I am pretty sure that most of us feel like there are a couple of kilos stuck somewhere around the waistline and butt. This is where I come to help!
Rule #1: Don’t postpone your plan to get back in shape any longer
Now is the right time. The weather is still good, so you don’t yet feel cold or lazy, and therefore have no excuse to skip the after work visit to the gym. You have no more dinner parties to attend every night, so you might as well take advantage of that to get yourself moving. It’s also a good occasion to start a new type of sports. Many gyms update their schedules around that time of the year, so go ahead and pick a new activity, and keep your butt off the couch!
Rule #2: Take advantage of the summer goodies while they’re still around
Watermelons, melons, peaches, plums… so many yummy fruits are still in season in September. So cut down on the cakes and ice creams, and indulge in nature’s goodies. They taste so good that you won’t feel like it’s a downgrade for your taste buds.
Rule #3: Don’t complicate things
You will read about the gluten free diet, the paleo diet, the detox diet, and god knows what other diet! Please, I beg you, just pass on those. You won’t make it too long to see sustainable results. Go for balanced meals that are not handicapping when you go to your friends’ homes, or when your mom cooks at home. The trick is to think about vegetables with each meal, they are your best allies to feel full while generally eating less. You’ll be able to do so by starting your meals with a big bowl of salad or cooked vegetables, and reducing your main dish’s portion. In addition, avoid fried items and desserts, since as opposed to veggies, they provide you with a big amount of calories (obviously from fat and sugar) in tiny portions.
Rule #4: Don’t give up after the first slip
We are humans; we are designed to be weak in the face of temptation. If you slip on a single day (most of the time it happens over weekends), don’t just blow away all the previous efforts. Go back to your plan, and move on! All of us, including dieticians, have weak days, so don’t be too hard on yourselves.
Happy September everyone!
