Everyone in Toronto seems to just focus on getting in shape for the summer season, but why not have a fabulous figure all year long? Keeping your body in good shape has many benefits beyond simply looking good in a bathing suit; working out can build confidence, increase energy, and elevate mood, making you a more productive, happier person overall. A suitable pairing of diet and exercise can ensure you maintain a beach body all year long, even in the dead of winter when the holiday feasts start filling your schedule.
Diet is a key factor in maintaining a slender figure, and what you put on your mouth certainly effects how your body feels and looks. A tip to keep your summer body is cutting down on the amount of sugars and starches you consume, as insulin is the main fat storage in your body, so, resisting those bready meals or trips to the office candy bowl will increase weight loss.
High protein diets, as a point of comparison, are reported to decrease late night snacks by around 50%, so If you know you’re the kind of person who likes munch on something while watching Netflix at 1am, either eat a high-protein dinner, or stick to a low-cal fruit for your late night eat. Drinking coffee and tea is also suggested, as they are reported to increase metabolism by 3-11%, and water is a must. Remember, too, that you do not have to starve yourself to stay in shape – dietary balance is key to keeping a summer body.
Fitness classes are also a great way of staying in shape throughout the winter, because they provide you a social atmosphere that pushes you harder and allows you to work out longer. There are a wide variety of fitness class options in Toronto and it can be daunting knowing where to start, but the fitness classes at Striation 6 for example are on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning you can sample many different classes to see what fits your needs. If you are looking to burn many calories through high intensity training, however, go straight for the bootcamp, where you can expect to burn 500-600 calories a class!
Finding an ideal gym to meet your exercise needs is key to fitness success, and, as mentioned, pay-as-you-go-gyms are the way to go. They offer the benefits of gym services without restricting you to a yearlong service plan and the best ones will offer a variety of classes, upscale equipment, and even certain spa services.
When searching for the ideal gym to keep your summer body, a final factor to consider is the quality of the gym staff. Fitness classes can be exhausting; so, you need a strong and encouraging leader, with ample certification, who’ll drive and encourage you during the fitness process. Keeping your summer body throughout the year isn’t always the easiest thing, but with the right diet and the right type of exercise, you can do it, and you’ll thank yourself next summer.