Air Force News :: Health & Fitness

Summer brings with it a sense of excitement and fun with holidays just around the corner for many people.

But it can also bring with it a sense of dread – the thought of baring our bodies can spark fear and anxiety amongst the most even-headed of us.

Too many Tim Tams and hot chocolates over winter takes the fun out of slipping into a bikini and man boobs and beer bellies can mean boardshorts and bare chests are a thing of the past – not fun when it’s 40 degrees.

So while there are no quick fixes, bar surgery, to getting a great body, there are easy changes that you can make to your diet and lifestyle.

These will improve your body confidence and have you looking and feeling great before you know it.

Step one – Get moving
Get your lazy winter butt off the couch and get out there.

If you are already exercising then today do 10 extra minutes of cardio at about 10 percent above your typical workout intensity.

While this won’t affect the short-term poundage picture all that much, you’ll burn more calories than usual and you’ll feel better about yourself.

Walking, running and swimming will help you build strong heart and lung muscles and help you control your weight.

Step two – Stand tall
Good posture can make you appear thinner than you actually are, so for a longer leaner look stand tall and pull in your stomach.

The added bonus is that by tightening your stomach you are not only working those much-desired abdominals but are protecting your lower back too.

Step three – Look at what you eat

Yes, everything you consume – even the 3pm trip to the chocolate machine.

This way you can determine your eating habits and work out where and how you need to improve.

Eating a balanced combination of foods in balanced quantities will help you get and maintain the body you want.

That means you need to eat carbohydrates (starches), protein (meat and dairy products) and yes, even some fat.

Every body is different, but the general rule is to eat what your body will use.