Are You Summer-Bod Ready? Detox Before Hitting the Beach!
Temperatures are rising, and summer is well on its way. For many of us, that means sun, sand, and surf—but are you really ready to get into a swimsuit this season? Take a look at our guide to getting fit and healthy this summer and employ these simple tips to get the beach-bod you've always dreamed of!
How to Prepare for a Bikini or Board Shorts
Whether you're looking to fit into a nice pair of board shorts or show off that teeny-weeny polka dot bikini this year, you're going to need to put in some good physical effort to get the results you want. Fortunately, there are a few key exercises and tips that can help you get the shape you crave in good time.
First, it's important to employ a fitness plan that combines strength and cardio workouts with rest days to achieve balanced results and give you good recovery time between types of exercise. Because swimwear can be pretty revealing, you'll also want to make sure your exercises target all areas of the body over time.¹
Squats, mountain climbers, and kicks are great for targeting the legs, hips, and buttocks. Basic push-ups and weight lifting help to tone and strengthen the arms, chest, and upper back. To beat much-despised belly fat and love handles, ab-blasting moves like V-ups, sit-ups, crunches, and bicycles target the body's core muscles.
A full-body move like planking is another great way to burn calories and improve overall strength and tone. Combine these moves with cardio activities like biking or running for the ultimate summer fitness regimen.
Of course, exercise is only part of the plan; getting proper nutrition to feed your body during these flab-blasting sessions of activity is just as important. As much as possible, you'll want to avoid processed sugars, alcohol, fried foods, and other high-calorie items that are easy to indulge in. Instead, choose protein-rich, naturally sweetened foods with health-supporting attributes like the following:²
• Bananas
Rich in potassium, a vitamin that's key for organ function and which helps the body fight bloating by flushing out excess water and sodium.
• Wild salmon
Full of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and high in lean protein content.
• Green tea
Helps to boost the metabolism and reduce appetite (plus, it counts toward your water intake!).
• Grass-fed beef
Satisfies cravings for red meat while serving as a great source of iron and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid that can promote fat loss and reduce cholesterol.
• Walnuts
A great snack choice that contains healthy fats and keeps you satiated between meals.
• Grapefruit
Helps to reduce appetite and may boost the body's natural fat-burning ability.
• Cinnamon
Thought to essentially “turn off” fat storage genes by reducing insulin levels.
• Sweet potatoes
Full of carotenoids to stabilize blood sugar and lower insulin resistance (also rich in potassium, which can reduce bloating like bananas).
• Beets
Contain antioxidants called betalains that help to support the liver and its detoxifying processes.
• Kefir
Contains lots of probiotic bacteria due to its fermented nature (and can reduce gas and bloating for a flatter tummy).
• Tomatoes
Rich in antioxidants and can help to protect your skin from seaside sun exposure.
• Lemon water
Provides a tasty way to stay hydrated and is a good source of the antioxidant limonene, which can help kickstart your bowels and flush out fat
• Protein powder
Ensures good protein intake during a period of strict dieting, helps burn fat, provides building blocks for muscle and keeps you fuller for longer periods of time (plus it's easy to add to smoothies, etc.).
• Dark Chocolate
Full of antioxidants and gut-healthy compounds (perfect for when you absolutely need something sweet!).
• Quinoa
Nutrient-rich and ideal for replacing simple carbohydrates like pasta and bread.
Detoxify for That Healthy Beach Body
While a detox plan isn't going to cure any existing health conditions or rid your body of toxic chemicals directly (your liver does that on its own), it can be a great way to kick addictions and reduce the intake of processed sugar and excess fat. A detox diet that aims to focus you toward healthier food choices won't deprive you; instead, it will fuel your body to work at maximum (or at least improved) efficiency.
To knock out your unhealthy habits and safely detox for a summer-ready body, try a short five-day plan that provides you with a sufficient amount of calories (roughly 1,500 per day) and which provides lots of protein, naturally-occurring sugars, and omega-3 fats.
This detox plan over at DailyBurn3 is a great example of a healthy detox and includes daily exercises to help strengthen and tone your body along the way. Remember to take in a sufficient amount of water for your height and weight each day, as well, as this will keep your body working efficiently and prevent it from retaining excess water weight.
What to Eat Before the Beach to Not Bloat
The last thing you want after all the hard work you've put in to achieve your dream beach body is to eat something that makes you bloat up right before you head for the water. On days you plan to hit the beach and show off your new physique, make sure you fuel yourself with foods that won't add unnecessary water weight and make you look “puffy.”
Opt for foods rich in potassium (like bananas, squash and sweet potatoes) to help you flush out excess water and reduce bloating. By the same token, avoid alcohol, sodas, fibrous veggies and wheat-rich foods before the beach to avoid water retention and gas production. As always, remember to keep up on your water intake throughout the day, especially if you're going to be sweating a lot in the sun.
Stand Out on the Sand with Stylish Men's Designer Jewelry from William Henry
Even the best beach body isn't complete without a little adornment now and again. For men looking to take their summer look up a notch, wearing high-quality men's jewelry from William Henry is a great way to stroll the beach in style. Men's beaded necklaces and men's fashion bracelets made from unique natural materials like Baltic amber, wooly mammoth tooth, and braided leather draw just the right amount of attention.
For a truly sea-inspired style, pair your summer outfits with our Beach Comber bracelet, a beaded piece inspired by the waters of the Pacific Northwest that features frosted Sodalite in shades of blue, gray, and white. Complete the look with our Sodalite Elan necklace featuring both Sodalite and real lava rock beads (perfect for a Hawaiian vacation, perhaps?).
