Spring is almost here, and it’s finally time to shed the layers of clothes that kept you warm throughout the winter. However, shedding them may also shed light to your winter laziness, revealing the excess fat layered over the winter. You don’t have to be embarrassed of yourself.
Not all people are equipped to resist the temptations of a hearty meal during the long cold months. But now the time has come to take off the overcoat and put on the t-shirt, you start to remorse those moments of weakness, wishing there was some magical pill to take your body back to the shape you have had. Bad news! There isn’t one.
However, there are some things that you can try to implement in your daily life. No one says it will be easy, but with some dedication and discipline, you can eliminate that winter fat just in time to show off your six-pack this summer. So let’s get down to it.
1. ELIMINATE PROCESSED FOODS FROM YOUR DIET
The first items to scratch off your diet are sugar, alcohol and simple carbs. These ingredients are causing a rapid rise in your blood sugar levels, and also harm your testosterone production. Processed foods are packed with simple sugars and are the worst enemy of your waistline. Instead turn to organic food that contains complex carbs. If you have a sweet tooth, try sweetening your food with natural sweeteners like honey, instead of spooning refined sugar.
2. COUNT YOUR CALORIES
When you’re on a bulking diet there is no need for constant monitoring of your portions, as you are trying to gain weight instead of losing it. Now that the table is turned and you find yourself on the losing weight end, one protein bar can make the difference between losing fat and just maintaining weight. The most effective way to be sure that you are not exceeding calorie intake is to count the calories you receive from each meal. You can log them in a notebook or in a spreadsheet, just make sure that they are accounted for.
3. HIGH INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING
Although many people believe that steady pace cardio training is the best way to lose fat, there are some more effective approaches. High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT is one of them, and the best thing about it is that it can be performed both indoors and outdoors, and it still delivers the best results in terms of loosing fat. The principle behind HIIT is switching from short bursts of high intensity activity followed into moderate pace activity. By rotating between high-intensity bursts and low-intensity workouts you stimulate the fat burning process in your body. In addition, this method results in burning more calories after training, thus boosting your metabolism.
4. CONSUME LOTS OF WATER
This principle might be the most important one and should not apply only when getting ripped for summer.
Remember, water is the most important thing our body needs. We are, after all, 70% water. Without it, we cut the transport routes of nutrients throughout our body. That is why it’s essential to always carry a water bottle with you. Even a mild dehydration can have profound effects on your results in the gym, and will inhibit you in achieving your full potential. This especially applies for people who tend to drink a lot of coffee, because it actually dehydrates the body.
5. PREPARE YOUR OWN FOOD
There are a number of benefits when you prepare your own food. First of all, you know where the ingredients came from and if they meet the quality standards, and you also avoid all the sauces and toppings containing tons of sugars and preservatives.
Second, it will make the task of tracking your macros much easier. Knowing the ingredients used in your food will enable you to know how many calories you’ve consumed with each meal. Although some restaurants post the caloric value of their food, many do not. And even when posted, you cannot always be sure if they are accurate. So, learning how to prepare nutritious meals in your kitchen will do you a lot of good, not only in terms of shedding fat, but also in saving money.
6. USE A FAT BURNER THAT WORKS
Some people lose fat more easily. Others, on the other hand, are not as blessed. It doesn’t matter that they are doing everything right, following every cardio principle up to the scratch, eat only healthy and perfectly balanced food, those last few pounds of fat seem to keep on holding like a bulldog. If you find yourself in this second group, you might want to try fat burners. After all, they are designed for people like you. They might be the right stepping stone that will take you a step closer to your dream physique.
However, you should stay warned, because fat burners are not the magic pills we spoke at the beginning. Remember, there is no such thing, and if the bottle states that they work like magic, you should probably stay away from them. They might do you more harm than good.
As this market is full of dubious if not utterly bogus products, you should pay special attention in selecting your fat burner. It would be even wise to consult some guide that can help you determine which ingredients work the best.
7. SET A GOAL
Last, but not least, set how many pounds you wish to lose. Setting this goal – let’s say 12 pounds in 3 months – will help you determine how much you need to lose on weekly basis. It also helps you determine the calorie intake you need in achieving this goal. If you find yourself that you haven’t lost the required weight after a week, you can adjust your calorie intake until you set it right. It will also help you stay motivated and push yourself in the gym.
CONCLUSION
As we’ve said, there is no magic pill that will get you ripped for the summer. However, if you’ve set you mind to it, this process should not be complicated, and it will certainly pay out in the end. All you need is some discipline and dedication.
