Health & Wellness Tips This Summer

*Guest Post by fellow blogger, Cristina Beltran

Most people are looking for the best fitness regimens all throughout the year so they can achieve their desired body shape and weight. However, summer is the peak time when everyone just wants to get into shape and flaunt the body assets. Who wouldn’t want to wear a tight bikini or to show off big guns and rock-hard abs?

Photo Source: http://agreport365.com/step-away-building-lean-muscular-body/

Here are some health and wellness tips to help you achieve the perfect summer body:

Eat Healthy

Do not terrorize yourself by creating a diet plan that you will most likely give up in a few days. Focus on fresh ingredients instead of instant meals so you can get yourself in the direction to eating healthy. You can eat more than three times a day as long as you correct the portions. Start with using a small plate so you can get used to eating smaller meals. Give up the chips and chocolates as snacks and replace them with fruits.

Practice Yoga

If you are looking for a routine that can significantly improve your health and wellness, then yoga is your best bet. There are certain yoga postures that are known to promote the proper function of the body. To stimulate the vital force of the liver, which is known as a detoxifier and a cleanser, the best postures are backbends including cobra pose, bow pose, wheel pose, and spinal twist. To cleanse the colon, some postures that you can practice on an empty stomach are the bellow’s pose (first thing in the morning), fire pose, peacock pose, and nauli kriya or abdominal churning.                                                      

Sign up for a short-term yoga program with unlimited sessions to determine if it’s the right workout for you. There are some credit card deals that offer one-month unlimited yoga at 50% off. 

Hydrate Yourself

While you may be busy searching for low-calorie and detox drinks and recipes, there is one essential drink in your fridge that should be part of your weight loss plan.

Water is regarded as a natural appetite suppressant and metabolism booster. A research conducted at the University of Washington showed that drinking one 8-oz. of water expelled 98% of the subjects’ midnight hunger which consequently decreased calorie intake. In “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism,” a study stated that the consumption of 16 oz. of water advanced the metabolism by 30%, which is primarily attributable to the warming of the water to body temperature.

Stick with pure water. Avoid carbonated drinks since these contain empty calories and it prevents your body from easily absorbing the water it needs. Caffeinated drinks are also a no-no since it has a diuretic effect that increases your water excretion which can do more harm than good.

Slimming Services

There are two non-invasive slimming treatments that have been enticing both males and females to pay dermatology clinics and slimming centers regular visits since there are no fitness requirements and no recovery period. 

Radio frequency (RF) and lipo-cavitation promote cellulite removal and fat reduction. There are some promos that offer up to 80% off on slimming services through credit card deals. However, do not rely on these slimming treatments if you’re not thinking about engaging in a diet plan and regular exercise.

Gym / Fitness Clubs

Avoid getting into a routine because you are most likely to reach a plateau. Try fitness classes or new equipment to keep your body guessing. Don’t rely on brisk walking on the treadmill or leisurely biking for your cardio workout. If it’s not intense enough, then you’re not burning a decent amount calories and fat. The same logic applies for strength training. If you feel the burn when lifting weights, then you are building muscle mass effectively.

Plan the best fitness program for summer by following a regimen that challenges to you to discipline yourself in a reasonable manner. The key to making it an effective program is to identify your SWOTs (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) and your budget.

While it pays to have a healthy and active lifestyle, you can minimize your spending by tracking promos. Bringing around or even spending a lot of cash for your fitness is not necessary, but there’s a good reason as to why you need to have your credit card with you.  

Deflating the Balloon a.k.a. My Body :P

I believe that I am at my "largest" these days...in terms of physique, that is.^^

If it had been in my younger years, it would not even be a concern to me. I was skinny for the longest time and very much happy with the fact that my voracious eating habits never took a toll on my vital statistics.  I thought it would last forever.^^

Taken during my graduation a decade ago.:)

But now, it is an entirely different story. Having viewed my photos taken during last Sunday's Easter celebration, the undeniable truth was smacked right in my face. After three decades, my body has finally succumbed to the "ballooning phenomenon".T_T  [Note to dear readers: I take full credit for such term! I am pretty sure you read it first here on my blog hihi. (^ . ^)]

Do I blame it then on slower metabolism that comes with aging? I dunno but one thing is for sure... the challenge is on to bring back my old figure or at least fix the problem areas such as my arms and tummy. 

No, please don't get me wrong. I do not have anything against those on the heavier side of the scale. For me, they are beautiful beings who should be defined neither by pounds nor inches, but rather by the goodness of character.

However, the decision to go on a diet occurred to me because I am already starting to get tired of lots and lots and lots of people in my circle expressing disbelief over the sudden and drastic change in my shape. My usual rebuttal consists of these lines ---> "I merely became voluptuous"  or "My body had simply matured" LOL but even those are not enough to stop all the comments from sprouting here, there and everywhere. It can really get annoying, mind you. @_@

Besides, I also want to be able to wear again my clothes which are still in good condition but do not fit me anymore. Talk about saving on wardrobe expenses!

Enter...No Rice Dinner Diet (NRDD)! 

Since I am too busy (or lazy...whatever haha) to go to the gym, exercise, or prepare a special dietary menu and I am not yet ready to give up sinful food, the ultimate plan is to simply cut on my carbs in the evening. Anyway, less energy is required and utilized at that time compared to the rest of the day. 

This scheme is obviously not novel and many have already tried it. Just the same, I am still curious if it would give me positive result after a month.^^ Anyway, should it be not as effective as initially thought, at the very least, it would pave the way for Hubby and I to stretch our rice supply a little more, hence, more savings for us.^^

Tonight counts as No Rice Dinner #1. A follow-up will be posted after a month to determine if the goal to deflate the "balloon", a.k.a. my body, has been attained. LOL!

So, good luck to me!^^