*This is a collaborative post.
We’re only a matter of weeks away before we can officially say it’s summer. With the sun about to rear its head more often and temperatures beginning to heat up, many of us want to throw on our daisy dresses and make the most of the glorious weather. We get you want to look and feel good in what you wear, so if you’ve got your summer collection ready and raring to go but find some garments aren’t fitting as you’d like, we’ve got you covered.
Dropping a dress size doesn’t have to be as hard as you think. Sure, you’ll need to make some lifestyle changes and factor in a bit of exercise. But, if you’re determined to drop a few pounds and want to get the most out of your summer wardrobe, here are some practical ways on how to drop a dress size just in time for the sunny season.
Eat Right
As you would expect, a huge part of losing weight and dropping a dress size is down the diet you follow. If you’re cramming your plate with lots of carbs, it’s time to make some adjustments. This is because too many carbohydrates place a large metabolic load on your body. When your body has high levels of blood sugars constantly to deal with, this can result in weight gain. If you’re serious about losing weight, saying goodbye to pizza and toast for a while should be top of your agenda.
In addition to lowering your carb intake, make sure you’re stocking up on plenty of fresh fruits and veg. The great news about fruit and veg is there’s so much to choose from! Whether you love strawberries, grapes, carrots, or peas, incorporating more of them into your diet can only be a good thing. To monitor your calorie intake, you may benefit from downloading a meal tracker app.
Try a Weight Loss Shake
Now we’ve covered what foods to eat and avoid, it’s time to look at liquids. Although we would love to, some of us just find it difficult to make changes to our diet. If this sounds like you and you’re after something quick and convenient, a weight-loss shake may be the answer. These are great for feeling fuller for longer and can help aid healthy digestion, meaning you won’t get bloated.
You can look into weight loss shakes at shakethatweight.co.uk for instance. They sell a range of products that are packed with protein and can reduce hunger pangs. However, bear in mind that weight loss shakes should be used in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet.
Get Moving
Once you’ve tackled your diet and want foods and drinks to stick to, it’s time to incorporate exercise into your routine. No one is saying you have to run on a treadmill for endless hours or spend a fortune on a monthly gym membership. For those who are self-conscious about their weight, the idea of working out with fitness buffs may fill you with dread. Thankfully, you can work out without even having to leave the front door.
There are lots of exercises you can do in your front room away from prying eyes. These include hamstring curls, single-leg glute bridges, and squats. To give you motivation, why not stick on a YouTube video? There are tons of fitness videos you can work with that will spur you on. You may even find them enjoyable too!
Cut Down on Stimulants
There are many stimulants that lots of us rely on to get us through the day. One of the main stimulants of all is caffeine. We’re a nation of coffee lovers. Millions of us live by our kettles, making cups of coffee to keep our brains active. However, too much caffeine isn’t good, especially for weight loss. Lowering your caffeine intake can be fantastic for reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and slowing down the signs of ageing.
Another stimulant we must mention is alcohol. You’re forgiven if you pour yourself a glass of wine after a busy day at the office. However, over time, too many bottles can lead to serious weight gain. There are lots of calories in wine that you may not even realise. And for many of us, we don’t stop at one glass! No one is saying you have to give up alcohol entirely. But, if you want to drop a dress size, drinking in moderation is key.
Avoid Snacking
When you’re sitting nice and cosy on your sofa watching TV, nothing beats having a few snacks by your side. Whether you’re a sweet kind of girl or savoury is more your thing, too many snacks can quickly lead to weight gain. It’s advised to avoid snacking in between meals. Instead, try and wait until dinnertime. For those who can’t, limit your portion sizes.
The good news is there are lots of healthy snacks you can gorge on to keep you going. These include carrot sticks and hummus and rice cakes. If you stock up your cupboards with these, at least you won’t feel guilty about snacking!
Drink Lots of Water
We already know the importance of drinking lots of water. But, you may not be aware of how fantastic H20 is for our waistlines. Because it’s 100% calorie-free, this means you can drink glass after glass without the worry of your weight creeping up. Water can help you burn more calories. Also, you may find it suppresses your appetite, especially if you have a glass before a meal.
While drinking water isn’t going to have a massive impact on weight loss, it can certainly help. If you’re a fizzy drink lover, the best change you can make today is swapping them in favour of water. We appreciate some people find water hard to drink. To give it a kick, you can slice some cumbers for a fresh, clean taste, or infuse your drink with pineapple, fresh berries, or melon.
Head Outdoors
Because of COVID-19, millions of people across the UK have switched to remote working. If you’re one of them, working from home indoors day in day out can take its toll and cause weight gain. This is because being sat for long periods without exercise means you won’t burn as many calories.
The best piece of advice we have is to get outdoors each day. Even if it’s for a 10-minute walk around the block. There’s nothing that beats getting fresh air in your lungs. You should consider going for a jog too or heading to your local park for a run. Being under natural light has an array of health benefits too. These include producing more vitamin D, improving your circadian rhythm, and helping you focus better. If it’s raining outdoors, that’s not an excuse! Simply pop out with your brolly or hood up and you’ll soon see a difference on the scales.
Whether you’re itching to get to a beer garden, head on holiday, or just walk around enjoying the sunshine, now is the perfect time to make some lifestyle changes to help you shift the pounds and drop a dress size.
Results won’t happen overnight. But, if you remain committed and follow all the above, you should have no trouble trimming down and feeling more confident in your skin both on the outside and inside.
