Get slim for the summer

[jill_cd_girl]

I think Eryn has the right idea. Here are some things that I do that seems to keep me lean:

1. Drink a lot of water. I drink soda about once every two weeks. I like soda, but I'm not so into it that I have to have it all the time. I prefer water - and water really helps your body out not just in terms of hydration, but also cleaning it out to be more efficient. I admit that I'll have juice and coffee in the morning, and tea (green, but sometimes black and white) throughout the day.

2. Eat all three meals. I eat a small breakfast (oatmeal, or just some fruit), a good lunch (salad (no cheese and just a little dressing), brown rice...), and a good dinner (brown rice, soup, salad). For me, I tend to eat smaller portions - I can't stand feeling stuffed. I don't snack since I tend to be quite busy, and I eat usually out of necessity just so I can sate the nagging hunger (rather than looking forward to the meal as a mini-event of the day). Also, I eat at home (or make my lunches) usually, and hardly ever eat out. I tend to eat very simple meals: salads with just fresh veggies, brown rice, etc.

3. Work out! Spot treatment doesn't work and is a myth: doing sit ups doesn't necessarily burn fat in the stomach. What I like doing is just doing some exercising that stretches and stimulates the muscles, as well as works them to help get them toned. As you get older, you start losing muscle. Having more muscle, however, helps to keep your metabolism up. In the meantime, do cardio - about 20 to 30 minutes, four times a day. (I'll confess, though, that I don't work out as much as I should, though I do stretch and do various things in the morning and evening to stimulate my muscles (otherwise I feel like I'm about to go crazy)).

4. Try to sleep a good 6-8 hours a night. Also, don't stress so much! You have to keep those cortisol levels low (which apparently is connected with increased belly fat in men).

I do 1 and 2 regularly, with everyday stretching. I do fairly well with 4, but I can do better with 3, I confess (except, again, for the stretching). I've been able to stay fairly close to the weight I was when I was in high school with just eating well and stretching.