When warm weather strikes, will your body be beach-ready? If your goal is to get a perfect body, you’ve come to the right place. This list of seven diet and fitness tips will help you get a body you’ll be proud of showing off when shirts come off. Let’s not waste any more time: Here’s what you need to do for a lean physique.
1. Everything starts with your diet. Diet – not fitness – has the biggest influence on whether you’ll shed the necessary fat to get the perfect beach body. You can work out 20 times a day, but it won’t do you much good if your diet isn’t up to par. Besides plenty of fruits and vegetables, a healthy diet should consist of whole grains and lean protein. Most foods that are high in these nutrients are low in calories and fat. You should also be taking a men’s multivitamin to fill any nutritional gaps in your eating plan. Ultimately, you need to create a calorie deficit to burn fat, so cut calories each week to stimulate weight loss. MenScience Boot Camp offers a structured six-week plan to help you out.
2. Drink enough water. Experts now suggest you drink at least 10 glasses of water to stay sufficiently hydrated throughout the day – and even more if you’re physically active. You don’t necessarily have to drink that much water – you can also get water from fruits and other sources like a men’s post-workout shake. Insufficient water intake can lead to dehydration, which can result in muscle cramps and other problems. “9 Hydration Tips for Men” offers more help on staying hydrated.
3. Have 5-6 meals a day. Eating smaller meals throughout the day instead of three big meals can help you control hunger better, which in turn may lead to more efficient weight loss. You shouldn’t make each of these meals a 5-course affair; a men’s whey protein shake or a small bag of trail mix counts toward this total. If you eat large portions at every meal, you’re going to do more harm than good. “How to Eat Less” offers more advice for controlling hunger.
4. Perform cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week. Aerobic activity such as running or swimming helps people lose weight and get a beach body. Find out what exercises and setting work best for you. Maybe you’re the type of person who prefers the treadmill at the gym rather than a dip in an outdoor pool. Regardless of what you choose, remember to take a men’s pre-workout supplement to boost workout performance for faster, visible results. “What is a Pre-Workout Supplement for Men?” explains the benefits of this type of men’s workout supplement.
5. Perform strength training at least twice a week. This is crucial for those who want a toned body. If all you do is cardio, you’re going to end up with loose skin and almost no muscle tone. Make sure to work all of your major muscle groups – don’t just focus on glamour muscles like your arms. You should also target your legs and back, which are often neglected. For more muscle strength and power, consider a men’s creatine supplement; creatine provides your muscles with extra energy for anaerobic exercise like weight-training. “The Best Workout Supplements for Men” lists other supplements you should consider taking for a perfect beach body.
6. Get plenty of sleep. Although some people can run on as little as five hours of sleep, aim for 7-9 hours. Some studies suggest that a lack of sleep may contribute to weight gain – not to mention an assortment of other health problems. If you’re having trouble sleeping, start counting some sheep or do some basic breathing exercises to take your mind off things. Sometimes, a growling stomach can keep us from falling asleep. If evening hunger is affecting your slumber, mix a whey protein shake to fill you up without filling you out. “How Sleep Affects Men’s Health” describes the many reasons you should strive for a good night’s sleep.
