Health

Avoid these 7 things at all costs when getting ready for bikini season

The “It’s almost bathing suit season!” warnings that start coming at you from all directions the moment there’s merely a prospect of warmer weather are kind of stressful! The summer countdowns, the spring gym discounts, the specials on “bikini body” training sessions, and the steady supply of media tips on how, exactly, you should go about getting your body presentable enough to strap on a two-piece are enough to elicit “Am I ready?!” panic in even the fittest among us.

More: 6 mini weight loss moves that lead to major results

While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to shape up for summer, this “you’d better get thin FAST” message can also mess with your head, and lead you to resort to extremes that will eventually get you further from your fitness goals.

If you’re trying to slim down by June, here are a few tactics to avoid and why, plus advice and tips that actually work:

Bad Bikini Move #1: Starving yourself thin

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Our bodies need food, including fat, to burn fat! Going hungry may help you drop weight initially (mostly water weight), but eventually your metabolism will slow down to conserve calories since your body thinks you’re starving. If you really want to turn your body into a fat-burning machine, the key is in fueling your body with the right foods. Research shows that filling up on lean protein sources like chicken and fish, as well as healthy fats found in foods like nuts and avocados, can help keep you slim and satisfied.

In fact, a new study in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that eating a high-protein meal before you exercise can actually boost your metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout the day. Need help choosing the right protein-packed foods? We’ve got you covered with these 6 slimming meal and snack ideas from nutrition pro Keri Glassman.

Bad Bikini Move #2: Weighing yourself too often

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It’s tempting to hop on the scale every morning to monitor your success, but zoning in on numbers can actually backfire. A new study from The University of Zurich found that women who focused more on the process of losing weight (making healthy choices, resisting junk food, exercising consistently, etc.) were more successful than those who were slaves to the scale.

Bad Bikini Move #3: Overtraining

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We understand wanting to feel the burn at the gym (we do, too!), but there’s a point when too much exercise can work against you and your goals. After hard workouts, your body needs a break (and food!) to repair and rebuild the muscle tissue you’re working hard to maintain, so be sure to balance your tough sweat sessions with enough rest and nourishing meals.

Bad Bikini Move #4: Negative self-talk

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Do you sometimes look around the gym and wish you looked like someone else there? If only you could run like a gazelle on the treadmill or crank out the CrossFit WOD like a boss? Then it’s time to take stock of what you can do and what you have achieved.

Ignoring everyone else and focusing on building yourself up during a workout is a much better strategy to start feeling good in your skin, and is more likely to inspire you to work harder for your goals.

Bad Bikini Move #5: Fad diets, energy drinks, and weight-loss pills

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If it seems to good to be true … You’ve heard it before, and we’ll say it again: The best way to lose weight for good is to maintain a healthy diet of mostly whole foods and exercise most days of the week. And as difficult as it may seem at first, this type of balanced lifestyle IS totally doable. Get some inspiration from everyday folks by learning the 6 habits of the slimmest Americans.

Bad Bikini Move #6: Giving up

If the thought of shimmying into a bathing suit (or even shorts and a tank) in the coming months seems too overwhelming and sends you straight into the cold, creamy arms of Ben & Jerry, then you need to break down your strategy and make it more manageable. Forget the extreme diets and exercise routines that have failed you in the past. Instead, commit to breaking the cycle of yo-yo dieting for good by making small changes that you know you can stick to, like these 6 mini weight-loss moves that lead to major results.

Bad Bikini Move #7: Waiting until you’re “ready”

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Improving your health and upping you fitness levels through healthy eating and exercise is certainly a worthwhile pursuit, and we get it, in today’s culture it might be a little easier to strut around in your summer suit if you’re sporting a six-pack, but the truth is that we’re all “bikini ready” just as we are. No matter the state of your shape, don’t let body insecurities stand in the way of sunshine on your shoulders, sand between your toes, and cool water on your face. At the end of the day, getting “swimsuit ready” is really a simple two-step process:

Step 1: Put on your swimsuit

Step 2: Go to the beach!