Fun and Fitness: Quick spring break prep
Every year around this time, I often get a lot of questions about trimming some of those unwanted “squishy bits” for spring break. If you're just starting now, don't expect to perform miracles with only two weeks left until your week off. However, if you're looking to shed a few fast pounds, than prepare to make some short-term sacrifices. In order to get the quickest results, let me fill you in on a couple ways in which you can go about your personal trimming project.
The first method involves a semi well-rounded diet minus the fruits, juices, and milk that we've grown to love. Make friends with “plain Jane” Quaker wheat oatmeal. This is your breakfast for the next two weeks. Use water to mix it instead of milk. Add some chocolate protein powder on top of it to give it some flavour if you'd like. Look to eat about another three to four meals throughout the day every three to four hours. Meals should consist of lean protein with a combination of low sugar starches (whole wheat rice or yams) and some veggies. Add spices to your meals to liven them up, but avoid typical sauces. Your meal sizes will be modest in size to the point that you are satisfied for three to four hours. Avoid eating an hour before you go to bed and ensure you get eight hours of sleep each night. Drink LOTS of water.
As for exercise, make friends with cardio as well. First thing in the morning, do a 30-minute cardio session on an empty stomach. The key here is “empty stomach” because you can burn up to 300 per cent more body fat by performing your cardio this way. Feel free to eat your oatmeal breakfast soon after your cardio session. Your weight training routine can remain the same, but focus on minimizing your rest time in between sets to help keep your heart rate up which will in turn burn up more calories. Also keep in mind that you can do abdominal exercises until your blue in the face but if you're diet is poor, expect poor results.
The second method is the forbidden high protein, low carb route. The majority of your meals will be consistent of lean protein while keeping your low sugar carbs to a minimum. This is the fastest way to lose mass as well as water weight. It's one of the oldest tricks in the book and you may have heard it being referred to as the infamous Atkins diet. However, expect to be extremely moody on this diet because carbs are your main energy source that you will be restricting. Nobody said it was easy to lose weight fast. Your exercise routine will remain the same including my cardio suggestion.
I would never recommend either of these dietary plans for your typical daily lifestyle considering the important food groups that are clearly lacking. However desperate times such as spring break or fitting into that old dress often call for desperate measures. Just be sure to mentally prepare yourself for the rapid regain of weight that will inevitably ensue.
The first method involves a semi well-rounded diet minus the fruits, juices, and milk that we've grown to love. Make friends with “plain Jane” Quaker wheat oatmeal. This is your breakfast for the next two weeks. Use water to mix it instead of milk. Add some chocolate protein powder on top of it to give it some flavour if you'd like. Look to eat about another three to four meals throughout the day every three to four hours. Meals should consist of lean protein with a combination of low sugar starches (whole wheat rice or yams) and some veggies. Add spices to your meals to liven them up, but avoid typical sauces. Your meal sizes will be modest in size to the point that you are satisfied for three to four hours. Avoid eating an hour before you go to bed and ensure you get eight hours of sleep each night. Drink LOTS of water.
As for exercise, make friends with cardio as well. First thing in the morning, do a 30-minute cardio session on an empty stomach. The key here is “empty stomach” because you can burn up to 300 per cent more body fat by performing your cardio this way. Feel free to eat your oatmeal breakfast soon after your cardio session. Your weight training routine can remain the same, but focus on minimizing your rest time in between sets to help keep your heart rate up which will in turn burn up more calories. Also keep in mind that you can do abdominal exercises until your blue in the face but if you're diet is poor, expect poor results.
The second method is the forbidden high protein, low carb route. The majority of your meals will be consistent of lean protein while keeping your low sugar carbs to a minimum. This is the fastest way to lose mass as well as water weight. It's one of the oldest tricks in the book and you may have heard it being referred to as the infamous Atkins diet. However, expect to be extremely moody on this diet because carbs are your main energy source that you will be restricting. Nobody said it was easy to lose weight fast. Your exercise routine will remain the same including my cardio suggestion.
I would never recommend either of these dietary plans for your typical daily lifestyle considering the important food groups that are clearly lacking. However desperate times such as spring break or fitting into that old dress often call for desperate measures. Just be sure to mentally prepare yourself for the rapid regain of weight that will inevitably ensue.
