The warm weather is here and suddenly the panic is starting to kick in because the bulky sweat shirts that hide the evidence of all of the heavy meals and rich desserts that were eaten all winter are being replaced by the need to wear shorts, tank tops, and the dreaded bathing suit! Fortunately, as long as you get started right away, it’s not too late to tone your body and build up your confidence for wearing a bikini this summer.
The key is to take on the right types of exercise to burn the most fat and to build the most lean muscle, so that you’ll shrink down as much as you can and will be firm, not saggy, underneath.
The main idea is to focus on dynamic movements, not just stick to repetitions of the exact same motions, such as the old “crunches”. Make sure that you shake up your toning and cardio routines so that your body doesn’t get bored of what you’re doing and so that your mind doesn’t start to go numb along the way. Make things fun and interesting, play some great music, do as many reps as you can, and rest in between.
Get started with these two great dynamic moves to bring you closer to that bikini body:
• Enhanced squats– This isn’t just a workout for your buns and thighs. It will also bring in the rest of your legs, your shoulders, and your triceps for an amazing bikini body. Begin by standing with your feet more than shoulder-width apart, turning your toes out. Hold the ends of one dumbbell with both hands. As you swing your arms forward in an arc until the dumbbell is over your head, lower yourself into a squat and then stand back up quickly. Make sure that your elbows are held still in an overhead position and bend them to 90 degrees in order to lower the dumbbell behind your head. Then extend your arms overhead again and swing them down in an arc as you lower yourself into a squat and stand up again. Keep repeating that for 1 minute.
• V-sitting on a chair – This is one that you’re going to feel in your abs. A good bikini body starts with toned abs. Start by sitting sideways on a kitchen or dining room chair, so that the seatback is on your right side. Place your hands on the chair seat on either side of your body. Carefully lean your body back by 45 degrees while you draw your knees up toward your chest. Keep your shins parallel to the floor and keep your lower legs together. Holding this position of a V-sit, extend your legs and then open them apart. Bend your knees and carefully bring yourself back to the original position. Repeat this for one minute.
