How to Get in Shape For Summer

With the summer fast approaching many of us feel it’s too late to get into last year’s bikini. But that simply isn't true! In 6 weeks you can see significant results by following a simple plan. In its basic form, the plan relies on 3 things: diet, exercise and... not ‘over-training’ because overtraining can lead a lot of people to simply give up. I will look at how each aspect will help you succeed, and from this article you should have the basis of a 6 week diet and exercise plan.

Diet

This is perhaps the most important part of the next 6 weeks.  We don’t want you living on salad the whole time, although that should be the main evening meal.  You should have your main meal at lunch time if you can, and try having vegetables and white meat or fish only, carbs can be left to the morning. This is a not a long term solution but for 6 weeks it won’t hurt.

Sample Eating Plan to Lose Weight

Breakfast: Muesli, Oats or Special K (large portion)
Snack: Fruit
Main course dinner: White meat or fish and vegetables (3 varied)
Evening meal: Salad, fish, vegetable soup – no bread.

Exercise

Now depending on your level of fitness you should try to exercise for at least 30 minutes every day! But, as I will cover in my last section, exercise is different to training.  Exercise gets the heart pumping, but it is not hard training. If you have done no exercise at all, I suggest walking for 30 minutes to an hour, preferably up hills, but know your limits. When you exercise you should at least have an increased breathing and heart rate for the full time you are performing your exercise.

You should exercise for 3 weeks at the same intensity, setting yourself small targets and rewards.  A good one is to have some spa days half way through the plan.  This will leave you feeling rejuvenated, more attractive and relaxed, ready to increase your exercise load in the next 3 weeks.

Over-Training

This is one of the most common mistakes made by people trying to get back into shape.  They join a gym or decide to go running every day, try really hard and after 3 weeks they give up. Training is for athletes; exercise is for us mere mortals. The objective of training is to get into a condition that allows you to play a sport. The objective of exercise is to feel better about yourself and lose a bit of unwanted weight, as well as being part of a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the little and often approach is the best way to go.

Try the six-week diet and exercise plan outlined above and share your experience by posting a comment below.

About the author: The article was contributed by Matthew Graham, a copywriter who loves swimming competitively.

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