Get in Shape Before School Starts Back
Has this summer vacation made your stomach bulge? Don't worry, it's not that big of a deal if you have the patience and willpower to work it off. You will get in shape before school starts back up.
Contents
Steps
- Eat healthily. Instead of drinking those sugar filled soft drinks, go for water or, if you cannot step up to that just yet, drink a diet and caffeine-free soda. In addition, stay up-to-date with the latest fruits and vegetables that are in season... chocolate might taste good, but vegetables and fruits are more nutritious for you. Again, if you cannot stretch that far yet, try a fruit dipped in fat-free chocolate, or make a smoothie with your favorite fruits. Work up to going straight to fruits and vegetables. Take one small step at a time.
- Exercise. Instead of sleeping in one summer day, wake up early, go for a walk, and the outdoors. If possible, bring a friend, pet, or your iPod. Stomach crunches are a good form of exercise too; start doing 25 every day for the first week, then gradually increase to 50 the next, 75 each day the next, and so on.
- Try starting of with simple exercises. If you have not worked out at all during the summer, then you are not in good shape. Start doing simple things like lunges or lifting hand weights. You can do three sets of 10-12 reps each. Then as you get used to it, increase.
- Drink plenty of water each day. This will help flush out those toxins and even lose some weight.
- Be sure to get at least anywhere between 8-9 hours of sleep each night.
Tips
- Carry a bottle of water around with you everywhere. Eventually you will go for a sip without even noticing.
- Make it a priority to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, and do not go to bed without doing so, or you might not catch up.
- If you go grocery shopping with your parents or guardian, help them pick out health foods. Items such as apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, and bananas make great snacks; rather than potato chips or cookies.
- Get your family involved with you. It can be hard to stay fit when your parents and siblings are "pigging out" around you. Bring it to the attention of your parents or guardian and tell them.
- Here is a tip for water: Take your weight and divide it by two. For example, Say a girl weighed 110 pounds. She should drink 55 oz. of water a day to help you get in shape. This may not work, but you can give it a shot.
- Exercise right before you go to bed. It may make remembering to exercise easier. Plus, it makes sleeping easier.
- If you do not care for the taste of water, look into Crystal Light or sugar-free Kool-Aid.
- Swimming is a fun cardio workout on a hot summer day. Don't forget the sunscreen!
- If you choose to carry a water bottle around with you, make sure to fill it up as soon as it gets empty, or as soon as possible. Otherwise, those sugary drinks could tempt you.
- Exercise to a fun upbeat song, it will make you want to exercise or just dance. Just Dance had a setting to see how many calories you've burned.
- Don't drink too much water as soon as you begin exercising. This could cause cramps or pain in the stomach causing you to stop your exercises quicker. Instead, drink small sips along the way.
Warnings
- Never push yourself too hard with your workout routines, because this could cause health problems.
- Don't overdo it; you might not be in good enough shape to start lifting 20-pound weights for 100 reps on your first workout. Slowly increase your workout and you will get the results you are looking for.
- Crash dieting is DANGEROUS and can result in health problems in the future. Once you bring exercise into your routine, you must keep it up or weight will come back. Also, try remaining motivated and finding someone to go with as this can help you too.
