My Summer Slim Down by Plus Model Danielle Line

The summer season is here which means it's time for us to put on our swimsuits and head for the beach. The question is though, are you ready? I know I'm not exactly where I had hoped to be by this time of the year, but somehow time has passed me by way too quickly. My initial plan was to have lost that extra 10 lbs. of winter coat I had somehow accomplished to put on during the holidays by now, but it is still lingering. Although still carrying these extra 10 lbs. does not keep me from enjoying a day at the beach, it does limit me on my swimsuit selection and activity comfort since when I gain weight it goes straight to "the ladies," so it makes me more self conscious and cautious when jumping around in the ocean with my son.

I do realize that in order to achieve a goal you must have a plan, but for some reason this time around I got too busy and didn't stick to the plan. So now I am looking for a meal plan and summer workout routine that will fit in to my busy schedule, help me achieve my goal, and get me back on track. I'm calling this "My Summer Slim Down."

To start "My Summer Slim Down" I went online to do some research to find some great workout tips and healthy eating ideas in order to customize my plan to my schedule/lifestyle. There are some amazing websites out there with some really great info so I went through and pulled some of the best, most creative tips that I feel will work to get me and hopefully all of you on your way to your summer slim down.

1. Set your goal: People attain great success once they have established their goal. My goal is to lose 10 lbs. but that might not be the right goal for you. Maybe your goal is to be able to run on the treadmill non-stop for 20 minutes straight (this is my next goal, yes I know I am getting ahead of myself) which is a great goal. When you have a goal, try to make yourself accountable for reaching that goal.The objective is to set a goal and exercise the discipline to complete it.

2. Finding your motivation: Motivation is also key to achieving any goal. So if you are like me and love to shop, go out and buy that sexy summer dress or that swimsuit that you love in the size that you would like to be wearing. Of course it won't fit you now... but that is the whole point. Make fitting into that sexy summer dress or swimsuit a realistic goal and leave it somewhere where it is always visible. Let the future goal of fitting into that item perfectly
be your motivation. It's the first step in getting to your goal and this tip really works.

3. Out with the bad, in with the good: A great tip to get you on your way is dropping something that you know is hindering you in achieving your goal in any way and replacing it with something that is not only good for your body but will get you to your goal faster. For example, if you are a big soda drinker try dropping soda all together and replace it with water. I guarantee that by taking out something bad and bringing in the good you will see a huge difference.

4. Start your day off right: Starting your day off in the right direction helps to create a healthy frame of mind and keep you on track. Many suggest working out in the morning in order to give your metabolism that special "get up and go" that it needs. Working out in the morning not only decreases your appetite but it helps your body burn calories all day long. My goal is to jump on the treadmill in the morning before work 3-5 days a week. Other great morning workouts are power walking, jogging, or swimming as a start to your day. Just be sure to fit in a healthy low-calorie breakfast before you start your day.

5. Take it outside: It's summertime ladies so on the weekends and when you have sometime off don't be afraid to take your workout outdoors. Grab a friend and be adventurous. Try a variety of outdoor recreational activities from hiking, rock-climbing, roller-blading, or biking and you'll be more likely to burn fat while having a great time. Just be sure to stay hydrated and wear a good sunscreen.

Nothing can replace the feeling you get once you have achieved a goal that you have worked so hard for. I hope that you all found these tips to be as helpful as I did and that they will help get you started and motivated to achieve your own Summer Slim Down. Please feel free to leave any additional tips that you may have to share below.