When you think of a ‘summer body,’ what image appears in your head? If you’re female, is it that lean, toned look sporting the sexy bikini? Or if you’re a guy, is it the ripped, washboard abs, chiseled chest, arms and legs? Whatever the image is that comes to mind, that appearance doesn’t come at the flick of a switch. We can’t come out of winter into spring and all of a sudden get out of bed with our summer body.
So today I wanted to discuss my MUSTS for achieving that summer body many desire.
Ive said it plenty of times before but a mediocre workout performed religiously will always out do the perfect workout performed sparingly. Staying consistent with your training, (and food for that matter) especially through winter, will go a long way to helping you achieve that body you’d be more than happy to show off at the beach or friends’ swimming pool. Consistency is arguably the most important component when working to accomplish goals, in or out of the gym. Without consistency, programs are unorganised, the body has a harder time adapting, and forming habits may be more challenging. Often times, people become less consistent due to focusing too heavily on the end goal. At times, it can seem like you’re making no progress. This becomes discouraging. Instead, try focusing on little ‘wins.’ For example, maybe you lifted a kilo or two heavier than previously on a particular exercise or you met your calorie target for the week. These wins will go a long way to keeping you motivated and stay on course.
This is a no brainer. What’s the point of smashing each of your workouts week in week out if you go to town on the processed and unhealthy food the rest of the time? This is extremely counterproductive to your summer body goal. The typical summer body that people crave is generally toned and well defined. This look is achieved through smart, healthy food choices that compliment your training, not hinder it. Following the 80/20 rule (80% earth made, 20 % man made), will greatly assist with keeping you sustained and fuelled well enough to compliment your training. When we focus on eating well and nutritiously, we give ourself the best chance to recover from the stressors of your workout. This repays us in the form of consistency. If we’re recovering well, our ability to back up for the next workout and perform optimally will be increased.
The more you focus on getting stronger and pushing your limits, the better. You don’t need to stare at yourself in the mirror all day or step on the scale every morning and obsess about the number on it. Think more about getting out of your comfort zone, working out and eating healthy to live a long life and you’ll be much better off. Stronger works for everyone, and I mean EVERYONE! While we might all very well be in completely different stages of our lives and fitness journeys, we can all work towards getting stronger! Focus on small improvements each week, be it in the form of load lifted or technique and this will help to keep motivated and consistent (notice how it all comes back to consistency? Funny that).
Let’s face it, support from others makes working out, eating healthy and staying focused on your goals SOOO much easier. When you find a solid group of people to keep you motivated and accountable, you’ll be much more successful. Community keeps people together, focused, moving forward and constantly supported – it’s amazing! Surround yourself with like-minded people and reap the benefits of this often under-valued tool to achieve your summer body. You’ll feed off of each other, drive one another and motivate each other to push the boundaries with what you thought you were capable of. Community can help you push that little bit harder and give that little bit more in your training, or give you motivation to stay the course when you’re away from the gym, after all, your time spent in the gym is only a fraction of your week so being surrounded by similar individuals can only have a positive effect on you outside the gym. This is invaluable for long term success!
