It’s that time of year again!  And yes, there is a holiday dedicated to this time of year as well! Time to take that cover off and walk on the beach. Even the most bikini savvy women and the speedo stud of men, can find this annual fest an ordeal. This summer choose to have fun and enjoy yourself. Have this year be your best year yet with these tips to embrace the day and feel confident in your suit

1) Confidence Comes from Within – Articulate Who You Are!

Identify your strengths and parts of your body that you really like. Find a swimsuit that highlights these areas. Style beats shape any day!  When you appreciate you and feel comfortable it becomes easier and more comfortable for you to walk with confidence and have fun! When confidence blossoms, you feel comfortable in your own skin. The great thing about confidence is that it is not bestowed by others, but found within.

2) Be Accountable for the Results You Want–

A big part of you feeling confident is being aware and accountable for your daily activity and staying on your workout plan.  Working with your trainer to create measurable daily goals is a key part in you seeing results and staying accountable. Using a step counter which keeps track of your steps, monitors your movement and wearing a heart rate monitor during your workouts to track your calories burned are two examples of tools you can use during your workouts to ensure you are on the right track to looking good in your bathing suit. When you know you are doing the work and taking care of your body, your confidence builds because you are doing what is necessary for the vision you have.  Bond with Your Fitness Buddies – Take Group Exercise Classes! Here are some of my favorites plus we get to see you! 

A study was done at the turn of the century on what influences if any, our social networks have on our obesity epidemic (Nicholas Christakis). Out of a group of 2,200 people it was found that if you had just one friend that was obese, it increased your chances of being obese by 45%. If you have a friend of a friend who was obese it increased your chances by 25%. Similar to this is the well-known affiliation theory.  This theory draws the conclusion that our lives are dramatically shaped by the affiliations we have with people. If our relationships can cause weight gain, it must have the same effect on weight loss and confidence. Taking Group Exercise classes that are fun, engaging and filled with like minded confident participants will be one of the strongest determinants in you feeling confident and looking good in your bikini.   Have your social networks assist you with behaviors that serve you. Look for Group Summer Slim Down programs and  classes in your club similar to the ones offered by Vision Fitness. What class will you take this week?

4) Stretches to Make You Look Leaner

The key to long lean posture is in the strength of your core and proper length of your muscles. If your core is strong the body will get used to the proper posture and make you look taller. Here are some stretches you can do during your week to strengthen and lengthen –

The Downward Dog – Straighten your legs, lift the tailbone higher, and lower your upper body with both arms in line with the shoulders. Your position will look like an upside down V. Set your breath as usual and count to eight, then rest. Repeat this position twice.

Walkouts – Start by reaching your fingers to your toes, keeping your knees straight. When you touch the ground with your fingers, begin to walk your hands forward on the ground until you are in a plank position with your body parallel to the ground. Keeping your hands still, walk your feet towards your hands bending from the hip. Repeat 5-6 times as you continue to move forward across the ground.

Supine Leg Plow– Lie on your back with your arms out to your side palms flat on ground. Lift your left leg up and over reaching towards your right hand. Allow your hamstring to lengthen as you lift your leg, your lower back will also lengthen as you rotate your leg towards your right hand. Repeat it on left leg. 5-10 times each leg.

5) Foods that Have You Looking Good in your Suit

Up your fruit and Veggie intake   – High water content fruits and veggies such as fresh watermelon, onion, celery, tomatoes, lemons and cucumbers, generally prove most helpful in reducing water retention. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is helpful tool toward reducing water retention, because they can provide a natural diuretic effect.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids.  According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omgea-6 fats might also help reduce bodily swelling and bloating associated with PMS. Valuable sources of omega-6 fats include safflower oil, soybean oil, turkey and peanut oil. As with any food, be sure to measure your servings and see your registered dietician to fit in your nutrition plan.

Potassium-Rich Foods -Potassium is an important mineral and electrolyte, or salt that produces an electrical charge. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, potassium deficiency can cause bloating. To promote potassium levels and prevent resultant bloating, foods rich in potassium are recommended. These include baked potatoes, prune juice, lima beans plums, bananas, raisins, acorn squash, tomato juice, raisin bran and almonds. You can also buy sport water packs to bring with you and pop in your water throughout the day while you are out on the beach (try Electro Mix by the makers of Emergen-C). As always refer to your physician prior to taking any supplements or changing your diet.

6) “JUST DO YOU”

At the end of the day, you can do things to change your body in a healthy way, but nothing changes the foundation of who you are. The hottest girls and guys are the ones smiling and having fun! The secret to feeling confident is enjoying yourself and being comfortable just being you! We love this ad by Dove because it screams, Confidence and enjoying you!

This summer on the beach decide to “Just Do You, No One Can Do it Better!”

-Coach Khadevis Robinson-

Reference, Robert Cappuccio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-10jMpJYgfc&feature=youtu.be