It’s an oldie but a goodie—but I have always loved the saying “summer bodies are made in winter”. It’s something that I always tell my clients, because staying on top of your training and nutrition over winter means you’re already a step ahead and avoid that mad weight loss rush when summer suddenly rolls around.
But if you’re reading this knowing you have dropped the ball on your health and fitness this winter, then never fear! Warmer weather might be in sight, but there’s still plenty of time to get your body in top shape for summer—just take a look at my top 5 tips.
#1 Start with a new habit
With summer still a few months away, now is the perfect time to start putting healthy habits in place. This will mean by the time warm weather hits, they’ll be like second nature and something you do without even thinking! I like to work in 28 day blocks as it’s the perfect amount of time to accomplish a goal, but the mountain won’t seem too high to climb or the goal too far away to achieve.
So, I want you to identify your biggest weakness. Be really honest with yourself—is there any issue that is holding you back? Have you discovered a newfound love for Cadbury this winter? Whatever it is, put a healthy habit in place to resolve this and work towards for the next 28 days, and when the time is up, hit reset and choose a new goal to work towards.
#2 Recruit a workout wingman
When it comes to working towards a fitness goal, I’m always saying that there’s strength in numbers. Find a buddy to work towards your summer body together—but also find someone who will push you. With a friend by your side, you’re instantly held accountable and will be much more likely to commit to training towards your goal. An added bonus is that working out with your best mate by your side will make the blood, sweat and tears shed in each training session much more bearable!
#3 Focus on functionality
When working on your summer bod, it’s essential to make sure the training you are doing is as functional and efficient as possible. Functional exercise activates more muscles, consumes more energy and is therefore one of the most efficient methods to burn calories, so ensure there is some variety in your training routine (HIIT workouts are my go to for an all over body burn). I promise you, this type of training is the most effective when it comes to getting your summer bod in top shape as it will give you the biggest bang for your buck.
#4 Build the intensity
Now is an awesome time to slowly but surely ramp up the intensity of the training you are doing. Whether it’s adding running intervals to your walk or opting for the heavier dumbbells in your Pilates class, work up the intensity and don’t be afraid to push yourself. Remember, making these small changes and slightly increasing the intensity of your workout can lead to big results by the time summer arrives.
#5 Re-assess your portions
We can so easily lose sight of how much we pile on our plates in winter. After all, there’s nothing quite like coming home to a big hot plate of lasagne after a long, cold day at work. But getting used to these big serves is a no-no coming into summer, so I want you to re-assess your portions and ensure you’re not letting them get too out of hand. Remember—training and nutrition are of equal importance and you cannot out-train a bad diet, so you won’t be able to tone and tighten that summer bod if you’re not keeping your portions in check!
So there you have it, the top 5 things you can do now to get your summer body in shape. I promise you, your body is an incredible thing and the transformation that is possible in just 28 days will truly amaze you. Trust me, I see thousands of transformations like these every week on my 28 program and they continue to amaze me. So, what are you waiting for?
