Get Fit for the Summer

Summer is almost here and it's time to get that bikini bod. I'm pretty sure summer is one of the most liked seasons of the year, so why not make the most of it? There are so many ways to get your dream body, and I know I would want that, too. There are two different methods, so you can pick the one that best suits you!

Healthy Food Swaps

If you're one of those people who like to eat junk food, cleaning up your diet will help with losing weight! Many people think that you have to go to the gym to burn calories, but that's not true! There are so many opportunities to eat healthier like the following list:

 Swap:

• Frozen yogurt for ice cream:  Frozen yogurt uses milk instead of cream, which is much better for you. Plus,it tastes much fresher! I personally like frozen yogurt much better (cake batter is my fave).
• Wheat bread for white bread: Whole wheat is much higher in fiber, vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, zinc, folic acid and chromium. It is also  sweeter.
• Dark chocolate for other chocolates: If you just can't give up your candy, dark chocolate is the better way to go. It is very potent with antioxidents, and it helps to drop your high blood pressure!
• Grilled chicken for fried chicken: Yes, chicken is good for you, but when you put grease all over it, it becomes unhealthy for you. Many people also say grilled chicken tastes better!
• Fresh fruit for processed fruits: Raw fruits are already in its best form, but processed fruits, like orange cups or applesauce, are combined with unhealthy sugars.
• Whole wheats for refined grains: Whole grains are the healthiest types of grains. Refined grains, like many crackers and cereals, have stripped the fiber from the grains.
• English muffin for bagels: Half of a bagel packs about 40 more calories than an entire English muffin. Also, choosing the spreads affects the calories. Choose fresh fruits instead of sugary sweet jams and cream cheeses.
• Trail mix for mixed nuts: Two handfuls of nuts are heart-healthy but calorie-heavy. Downsize the 2 handfuls of nuts to 1 (about 3⁄4 oz.), and add a handful of air-popped popcorn (be sure to not add salt!) and whole-grain cereal, such as Chex.
• Fresh or dried herbs/spices for salt: Herbs do not contain any calories, but salt has a lot of sodium!! 
• Hummus for ranch (or neither): salad is a great healthy choice, just not when you pour so much calories of ranch on it! You can substitute that with hummus, or just not even any sauces. 
• Crinkle cut carrots for potato chips: potato chips are filled with oils and grease. They can lead to pimples or even acne! So going for a crinkle cut carrot is much better for you. It's still crunchy and it's sweet! 
• Plain non-fat Greek yogurt for sour cream: Switch out these for the same, but healthier taste!
• Chicken sausage for pepperonies: 

Also, drinking water instead of sodas will help your body in many aspects. You should drink 8 (8 oz.) of water every day. Water can help you obtain clear, youthful skin. Drinking enough water promotes weight loss. It removes by-products of fat, reduces eating intake (by filling up your stomach if consumed prior to meals), reduces hunger (hello natural appetite suppressant!), raises your metabolism and has zero calories! 


Workout

Going to the gym is great for toning up those muscles. Because you are working with weights, you will want to get permission from your parents first. There are so many different ways to exercise, and you probably don't even realize that you are!

You can:

Do aerobics! Aerobic exercise is sometimes known as cardio, which pumps up the heart to make it stronger. This is something that everyone can do, because you don't need to go to the gym! You can stay at home and run around in the neighborhood, which many people do, or even go swimming! Also, dancing tones your entire body! Another way to do aerobic exercises it through cycling! It's not only shaping and thinning your thighs, but it's fun to ride around! There are also many stationary exercises to do! One that many people know is pushups! These help with your biceps and abs. There are also sit-ups, squats (great way for a thigh gap), jumping jacks, Russian twist, lunges, planking, and so much more!

Lift weights! If you want to have bigger, stronger muscles, you might want to get into lifting weights. Start out with a small amount of weight and work your way up. A good number to start off with is 10 and then moving up by fives so from 10 to 15 to 20 etc.

Start a daily workout plan! If you don't have enough time to do a full hour of working out, you have a couple minutes here and there to workout like:
-When you are brushing your teeth, you can do a wall sits
- When you are using the bathroom, do 5 squats before walking out
- While you are on your phone checking Instagram or Vine (girl I know you do ;) you can plank
- Just have fun and dance when you are on a study break, cooking, etc.
- When you are waiting for something to come out of the microwave or oven, do butt kicks!
- Right when you wake up, you could do 10 push ups, 10 jumping jacks, and 10 crunches.
- While you brush your hair, you can do calf raises
- SMILE!! :D Smiling is not only fun to do, but it helps you lose calories! Laughing for 15 minutes will alone help you lose about 40 calories!

I hope that you soon get that dream body of yours. Don't forget to accept your body, because you are be(you)tiful!

Hope you enjoyed this! ---Emily: The Girly Girl Department <3