This week we continue to talk about summer essentials, and a fit bod is no exception. Fortunately for us, regular contributor, fitness guru and mommy of three is here to share some fitness words of wisdom. Remember it’s never too late to focus on getting bikini ready when the real motivation to get fit is to be healthy, and nothing is more chic than that. So, read below and then get moving. xx
Okay ladies, we can no longer ignore that SUMMER is coming!! Memorial Day has come and gone… say goodbye to jeans and HELLO to your bikini. Rather than dreading the warm fabulous weather that summer has to offer, why not challenge yourself to get bathing suit ready! Here are my personal tips to feeling strong, confident and proud in your tiny mommy bikini:
1. MOVE!!! It’s no secret that you have to move more and eat less to lose weight. But did you know that by adding just 30 minutes of exercise a day will help your overall calorie burn? Try getting your family involved and take a post dinner walk around the block. Or pick up an extra yoga class after your regular sweat session. I try and take an extra yoga class on the weekends since that’s when I have the extra time.
2. Exercise to burn. If you have ever take my spin class, you know I talk about getting out of your “comfort zone.” You have to push your body past it’s comfortable place and reach a fat burning zone. This is the point at which you’re out of breath and can hardly hold on to the beat. Interval training is the best way to accomplish this. You can easily add intervals to any of your own workouts by pushing for 20 seconds and resting for 10 seconds. Repeat this 6-8 times and return to a moderate pace. Or if classes are more your speed, gyms and boutique fitness studios offer a wide variety. Indoor cycle, treadmill classes, circuit training, and weight lifting are some of the ways to get your intervals in.
3. Build muscle. Don’t be afraid of bulking up. Many of my friends tell me they don’t want to do a spin class because they don’t want “chunky thighs.” Muscle burns more than fat during resting periods and through out the day.
“Tap it up,” as we say at YAS (indoor cycling and yoga). I promise your lean muscle will look darn good in the bathing suit!
4. Routine!!! Ask anyone who knows me – I am a BIG routine person. I try to keep my family on a routine schedule. We eat, workout, wakeup and sleep around the same time each day. Personally, I feel my best sticking to a routine. Your body craves routine as well. It’s just like how your children don’t like surprises, neither does your body. If I eat late, I feel it in my morning spin class. If I go to bed late, I tend to wake up even earlier than my usual 5:30am, NO THANK YOU!
5. Drink water not booze. Sorry, but “mommy juice” is not hydrating. Yes, you can have a few glasses of wine here and there (I don’t believe in depriving yourself the things you love). However, drinking your calories in any form is not good for your weight loss goals. Stick to water most of the time. Other options include, unsweetened tea or coffee, bubble water, lemon water, etc… basically anything low-cal. 
6. Eat healthy. Sounds easy, right? Eating at home is the best way to accomplish this. Just do your best to keep fruits, veggies, lean protein, dairy and whole grain plentiful in your families diet. Don’t ever deprive yourself of that homemade chocolate chip cookie hiding in the freezer (my personal favorite) – you’ll only binge eat later after the kids go to bed. Moderation is key.
7. Skip fried foods. Period. Just eat BEFORE you go to the Fair this year. That fried Oreo didn’t seem like a good idea in the first place.
8. Grab a mommy buddy. I figure you can look at it 2 ways: One way is a great chance to hang with a bestie and get your sweat on! Maybe hit up your favorite workout spot one day and hers the next. The other way to look at it is misery loves company. You both can sweat it out together and cheer when it’s over. Hey, either way – bikini here you come!
with love,
Cortney
Cortney Taketa is YAS spin instructor, and a fabulous mommy of three. For more fitness tips by Cortney, check out this post.
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