Health
7 tips for looking great in a bikini
Health
7 tips for looking great in a bikini
Well, swim season is officially here. And weather you prefer to sport a bikini, full swimsuit or head-to-toe wet suit, you may have some reservations about trotting along the doc with your body on display. Never fear! I've checked in with Laura Jackson and Amanda Quinn, co-founders of the Canadian bootcamp
Fit Chicks for their top tips on looking and feeling great all through bikini season. Read on for their expert advice. [caption id="attachment_1768" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="First steps to looking fab in a bikini: Be confident and work it!"]
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1. It's that dreaded time for many women: bikini season. What tips do have for looking great in a bikini? Bikini season is one of the most nerve-racking times of the year for any woman, no matter what size she may be. Here are our top tips for looking (and feeling) fabulous in your two-piece this summer:
1. Don't stop exercising. We are all gung-ho about getting fit for bikini season but then as soon as it hits, we throw in the towel (not to mention devour tons of BBQ and beer). Keep to a summer workout regime. It could include running on the beach, hiking or interval training in the park. The vitamin D from working out outside will make you feel fabulous and more confident in your bathing suit as well.
2. Work out in groups. It’s always easier to stay on track when you have the support of women who are in the same boat as you. Find a group of friends with common goals and create fun challenges to keep yourselves motivated. Boot camps, like FIT CHICKS’ 4 or 8-week options, are also great places to have fun while working out with other women.
3. Avoid foods that bloat you. Mixed with the summer heat, processed, packaged, salty or sugary foods can make you look and feel like a stuffed sausage in your bathing suit. By eating quality, whole, natural foods like lean proteins, veggies, fruits and unprocessed carbs – and drinking lots of water - you will stabilize your blood sugar, promote easier digestion and avoid water retention. Not only will you look sleek and slim in your bikini, but eating clean will also help prevent mood swings so you'll feel confident strutting your stuff.
4. Choose a bathing suit that flatters you. Even the most fit and toned women still have their self-conscious areas. Like with workout gear, the most important elements are the cut of the suit and the support. Splurge on a higher quality, more flattering bathing suit that works with your body type to accentuate positives like sexy shoulders, fabulous curves and skin tone. Also, make sure it has the right amount of bust support - having the proper “lift” can make you look 10lbs lighter instantly.
2. Many of us are just plain scared to put on a swimsuit, no matter our shape. Any tips for boosting our self-esteem?
Stop the negative self-talk! Women are extremely hard on themselves and are continuously pointing out the negatives rather than the positives. Old habits die hard, and it’s easier said than done to boost self-esteem, but here are some exercises that we practice at FIT CHICKS to help us start believing we ARE the fabulous, fierce chicks we know we are:
1. Pick a "chick power" anthem song. Music is an instant mood and self esteem booster. Select a strong, positive pump-up song to be your anthem this summer (mine is currently "I’m Every Woman" by Whitney Houston - love it). Blare it in your car, living room, office or on the beach to make you feel like the fierce femme you are.
2. The Love Me List. Grab a pen and paper and write down at least five things you love about yourself - inside and out. Every time you feel down or nervous about wearing a bathing suit, pull out your list to give yourself an instant pick up. Or better yet, post it on the fridge or in the bathroom - a place you’ll see it everyday.
3. Enlist friends and family to be your "no negative self-talk" ambassadors. Let them know you are trying to change your ways. Anytime you start to say something negative about yourself, have them tell you to stop and then make sure you change the statement to a positive one. These are simple exercises we’ve been doing in our office for months that really have a strong effect on self-esteem.
What are your tips for looking and feeling fab in a bikini?
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1. It's that dreaded time for many women: bikini season. What tips do have for looking great in a bikini? Bikini season is one of the most nerve-racking times of the year for any woman, no matter what size she may be. Here are our top tips for looking (and feeling) fabulous in your two-piece this summer:
1. Don't stop exercising. We are all gung-ho about getting fit for bikini season but then as soon as it hits, we throw in the towel (not to mention devour tons of BBQ and beer). Keep to a summer workout regime. It could include running on the beach, hiking or interval training in the park. The vitamin D from working out outside will make you feel fabulous and more confident in your bathing suit as well.
2. Work out in groups. It’s always easier to stay on track when you have the support of women who are in the same boat as you. Find a group of friends with common goals and create fun challenges to keep yourselves motivated. Boot camps, like FIT CHICKS’ 4 or 8-week options, are also great places to have fun while working out with other women.
3. Avoid foods that bloat you. Mixed with the summer heat, processed, packaged, salty or sugary foods can make you look and feel like a stuffed sausage in your bathing suit. By eating quality, whole, natural foods like lean proteins, veggies, fruits and unprocessed carbs – and drinking lots of water - you will stabilize your blood sugar, promote easier digestion and avoid water retention. Not only will you look sleek and slim in your bikini, but eating clean will also help prevent mood swings so you'll feel confident strutting your stuff.
4. Choose a bathing suit that flatters you. Even the most fit and toned women still have their self-conscious areas. Like with workout gear, the most important elements are the cut of the suit and the support. Splurge on a higher quality, more flattering bathing suit that works with your body type to accentuate positives like sexy shoulders, fabulous curves and skin tone. Also, make sure it has the right amount of bust support - having the proper “lift” can make you look 10lbs lighter instantly.
2. Many of us are just plain scared to put on a swimsuit, no matter our shape. Any tips for boosting our self-esteem?
Stop the negative self-talk! Women are extremely hard on themselves and are continuously pointing out the negatives rather than the positives. Old habits die hard, and it’s easier said than done to boost self-esteem, but here are some exercises that we practice at FIT CHICKS to help us start believing we ARE the fabulous, fierce chicks we know we are:
1. Pick a "chick power" anthem song. Music is an instant mood and self esteem booster. Select a strong, positive pump-up song to be your anthem this summer (mine is currently "I’m Every Woman" by Whitney Houston - love it). Blare it in your car, living room, office or on the beach to make you feel like the fierce femme you are.
2. The Love Me List. Grab a pen and paper and write down at least five things you love about yourself - inside and out. Every time you feel down or nervous about wearing a bathing suit, pull out your list to give yourself an instant pick up. Or better yet, post it on the fridge or in the bathroom - a place you’ll see it everyday.
3. Enlist friends and family to be your "no negative self-talk" ambassadors. Let them know you are trying to change your ways. Anytime you start to say something negative about yourself, have them tell you to stop and then make sure you change the statement to a positive one. These are simple exercises we’ve been doing in our office for months that really have a strong effect on self-esteem.
What are your tips for looking and feeling fab in a bikini?
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