Getting the Perfect Summer Body

Summer is the best time of the year to shed off unwanted pounds and stay active. It is during these times that most people vie for that perfect summer body that will make them turn heads at the beach. If you’re one of them, just follow these diet and exercise guidelines to get you started on your fitness program.

Healthy salads

These hearty and heart-friendly dishes are great for the warmer weather. The best part? You’ll never run out of ideas for a perfect summer salad. If you want to veer away from traditional salads like the Caesar and the Waldorf, below are quick and easy recipes to try:

Tropical Salmon Salad – Balance the rich flavor of smoked salmon with the distinct sweetness of tropical fruits like mango and papaya. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinaigrette for a burst of tang.

Pineapple Turkey Salad – Marinated turkey slices on a bed of leafy greens and juicy pineapple tidbits makes for a filling yet non-fattening salad. Toss in some light dressing and toasted sesame seeds for added flavor.

Shrimp Garden Salad – A classic vegetable salad combining Romine lettuce, radishes, tomatoes and green onions is topped with shrimp for a fresh twist. Serve with French dressing to make all the ingredients come together.

All-natural drinks

Non-alcoholic, antioxidant-rich drinks should be your go to thirst-quenchers for the summer. A lot of so-called bottled drinks market themselves as natural when they are in fact, loaded with sugar or other sweeteners.

Have a go at sugar-free homemade drinks instead. They’re better for your diet and you’re sure about the nutritional content. Freshly squeezed juices and fruit smoothies are a great start. If you want to take your perfect summer body goals a notch higher, try vegetable juices. Opt to mix them with fruit juices to mask the vegetable taste if you’re not used to it.

Grilled foods

Now summer isn’t complete without outdoor barbecue cookouts. Grilled meat is generally a healthier choice but not all meats are created equal. Stick to fish and seafood for lower calorie content. Better yet, grill your veggies.

Vegetable kebabs – Spiced assorted veggies on skewers done Moroccan style brings an exotic flair to your summer vegetarian dish.

Grilled Honey Lime Squid – Tickle your taste buds with the sweet and sour goodness of grilled squid marinated in honey and lime juice.

Spicy Tuna Steaks – A guilt-free alternative to the big ole steak, rub tuna steaks with red pepper and olive oil for a scrumptious crust and juicy meat. Lemon wedges on the side are recommended.

Summer Activities

It’s all about the outdoors for the sizzling hot months of summer. Water sports is extremely popular during this season and you can choose from a variety of activities. Swimming is the obvious choice as you can enjoy it with all members of the family. What’s more, it’s great for weight loss because swimming makes you burn calories quicker. If you’re more set on getting an adrenaline high, get into surfing, wakeboarding, and any other sport that requires you to stay on top of the water.

For those who’d rather stay on land, rollerskating, running and cycling are great activities as well to keep fit. If you want to do more exploration, try your hand at rock-climbing and trekking. Train in every sport imaginable¾soccer, basketball, volleyball¾if you’re on the athletic side. Whatever high energy activity you choose, do it regularly for maximum results.

The road to the perfect summer body may be a long one but with heavy exercise and a nutritious, low-calorie diet, it will become a lot easier for you.