Summer is that you

Summer... is that you???

What you can do now to help prepare your body for summer

It's that time of year! Spring has sprung and the warm weather has most folks scrambling to find ways to get ready for those upcoming pool and beach gatherings.

Although the blissful season of sunshine is peaking its head around the corner, it is not too late to snap your body into shape. Here are some quick things you can do now, to make sure that when it's time for sun's out, guns/tums out, you'll be prepared.

1. Pump Up the Cardio

Increasing your cardio is a sure fire way to burn extra calories. The great thing about spring is that your can get outside to do it. Anything from running, walking, calisthenics, yoga, aerobics etc. can be done in the nice spring sun.

2. Drink More Water

The more water the better. When you're dehydrated the fat burning process is slowed down. Your liver processes fat, and water is what helps it do its job properly. You can tell when you're drinking enough water when your urine is pale yellow.

3. Get Enough Sleep

Getting enough sleep is very important when it comes to burning fat. Without it, your metabolism slows down, and it can impact your hunger levels throughout the day. Make time for your sleep, like you would any other important factor of your day.

4. Cut out Fast Food

Processed fast food is high in sugar, sodium, trans fat and empty calories, which can be detrimental to the fat burning process. The bottom line is, it adds little to no nutritional value to your diet. Your body has difficulties processing it, and stores it as fat.

Decrease time inbetween sets

Give yourself less rest time inbetween sets during your workouts. Shortening your workouts by increasing your intensity levels and shortening your rest periods will help you build muscle and burn fat.

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6. Drink Green Tea

Substitue your coffee for green tea. It is high in antioxidants which help you recover from physical activity. It also has been proven to boost your metabolic rate. Green tea helps improve your physical performance and has less calories than coffee does.

7. Set Realistic Goals

Set goals for yourself that you can stick to. Too many times, people throw out general goals like "I want to lose weight" or "I want to gain muscle." Those are great to have but what are you going to do to get there? See my fitness goal post for more on how to set SMART goals.

8. HIIT IT

HIIT (Which stands for high-intensity interval training) is a great workout that blends intense periods of exercise with short fixed periods of less activity. HIIT workouts are amazing for burning fat without losing muscle, and are great for your cardiovascular health.

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