A Lazy Mom’s Guide: How to Get in Shape for Summer

You might be thinking ‘there is snow on the ground, who cares about summer’ but in a few months, you will be shaving your legs and putting on your bathing suit! While you don’t need some ridiculously fit ‘beach body’ to enjoy the pool, knowing how to get in shape for summer means that you will feel just a little less self-conscious about that muffin top or those not so muscular thighs! It seems like those extra holiday pounds went on REALLY fast, right? Well, I can tell you right now that they won’t come off as fast as they glommed right onto your butt! Hopefully, these tips along with the affiliate links for products that may help will whittle away those extra pounds!

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A Lazy Mom's Guide: How to Get in Shape for Summer

How to Get in Shape for Summer

I am a 40 plus woman with 2 children and I am always searching for easy ways to get in shape. So, like most people who want to learn about a topic,  I head to my old friend Google to help me learn about it.

What do I find if I Google the term ‘getting in shape”? I find pictures of buff looking women doing pushups on the beach and links to sports supplements to help me run marathons. Okay, Google, let’s be realistic here a minute, shall we?

I am middle aged and have a lot of things that hurt if I so much bend over to pick up the newspaper wrong. I have two children who beg for ice cream on a regular basis and I have NO willpower.

So, how is this very busy, middle-aged woman supposed to get in shape for summer so that she can be seen at the pool in a bathing suit without feeling self-conscious? I am still working on losing a few pounds but here are a few ideas on how to get in shape for summer that I thought I would share.

A Lazy Mom's Guide How to Get in Shape for Summer

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Watch what you drink

Put down the soda, vitamin water, and coffee and start drinking more water.  Yes, this is not easy. It is also not always tasty. But, getting in shape means that you need to find ways to flush your system and trick it into thinking it is full.

Drinking lots of water is one easy way to do this. Put a giant pitcher on the counter or in the fridge and vow to finish it by the end of the day. Add slices of fresh fruit to it or a spritz of fresh lemon or lime juice. Get a fruit infuser water bottle to make your own healthy flavored water.

Get moving

That seems so simple, right? Want to know how to get in shape for summer? Burn calories!  The only way to burn calories is to get your behind in gear and get moving. I have been trying to do something very simple: walk more! (check out my post about how to burn calories at home if you don’t have a lot of free time)

Instead of sitting in my chair to check email or talk to my mom on the phone I head out and take a walk in the neighborhood while I work or chat. If you are dropping your child off at soccer practice and sitting in the bleachers, how about you go with your walking shoes on and take a few laps around the field while you wait.

If you want to get a bunch of exercise equipment, check out Craiglist or ask your friends. People are always happy to get rid of them since a lot of times they just end up as clothes hangers and storage spaces. At least a good pair of walking sneakers doesn’t take up much space.

A Lazy Mom's Guide How to Get in Shape for Summer

Choose herbal teas

So, I am not a doctor, dietitian, or anyone you should actually listen to when it comes to medical advice. Let’s just get that straight before I continue! I do, however, really believe in the benefits of many herbs when it comes to health issues.

My cabinet is full of herbal teas to help solve just about every ailment you can think about. I have detox teas, water flushing teas, and even an appetite suppressing tea. Once a day I have a mug…usually with breakfast. It’s a great way to increase fluid intake without extra calories and support your digestive system at the same time.

If you are not currently an herbal tea drinker, just an FYI for you:  They don’t all taste that great. In fact, some of them taste like water that has been added to sticks and dirt. Add a little Stevia and lemon juice if you have to for a no-calorie sweetness and flavor. Check out Amazon for a few herbal teas for weight loss if you want to try them.

A Lazy Mom's Guide How to Get in Shape for Summer

 

Increase your fiber intake

This goes back to the whole concept of tricking your body into thinking it is full. Fiber takes up a lot of space and takes a while to digest. Getting in shape isn’t easy if you are constantly hungry!

Apples, nuts, seeds, beans, brown rice, fresh veggies, chia seeds….whatever has a decent amount of fiber in it works to help fill you up. Eating an apple and drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before your meal will fill you up so you don’t eat too much at your meal.

Leave yourself notes

Okay, this might sound weird but I am all about lists and sticky notes. Always head to the fridge at 3 PM for a snack? Stick a post-it note on the fridge with a big NOOOOO written on it or leave yourself an inspirational message. Whatever works to help you walk away from the fridge and stick to your diet plan.

Portion Size and A Lazy Mom's Guide How to Get in Shape for Summer

Learn what a portion size really is

In addition to burning calories, you need to stop taking in as many calories as you currently do. I do not count calories, weigh and measure, or in any way try to quantify the food I am eating.

I am far too lazy for that. Learning how to get in shape for summer means that you have to reduce your calorie intake…there is no magic bullet when it comes to shedding pounds. Eat less, exercise more. But, if you think that a serving of potatoes is a heaping mound on your plate next to the 12-ounce steak you are sorely mistaken. Check out some nutrition sites to learn what a serving size is for your age/weight/height/etc.

Eat more veggies and fruit, choose lean meat instead of processed meat food, skip the sauces and just try to make smarter food choices. They have portion control containers on Amazon that might help.

Snack Healthier

I am a snacker and that is not going to change just because I have to lose a few pounds. I get cranky when I am hungry! Making smarter snacking choices is high on my list of things to change this month.

Healthy snacks still satisfy my need to munch but also provide some sort of nutrition and health benefits at the same time. As much as I love Cheetos, they really are not a healthy snack choice so I have been trying to limit those to special occasions.

Everyday snacking has become things like apples with almond butter, cheese sticks, veggies with low-fat dip, or snack chips made from whole grains.

If you are wondering how to get in shape for summer, the key is to start NOW so you don’t expect miracles once May gets here. While running marathons and lifting weights may get you buff, there is no reason you can’t start making a few simple changes in your ever day life to slim down and tone up!

Have any other tips for getting in shape for summer?

 

Like this post? Learn more about   healthy weight loss  here:

5 Things I Learned About Healthy Weight Loss and Dieting

and a Weight Loss Motivation Board!

 

4 thoughts on “A Lazy Mom’s Guide: How to Get in Shape for Summer”

  1. Those are all great tips. My favorite is putting a note on wherever you’re tempted to snack, to stop you! That made me laugh. My healthy tip is to read labels so you can find out what you can and can’t eat.

    Reply
  2. I’m a “lazy mom” with a few pounds I’d like to shed this winter. You’ve inspired me to start making healthy snacks. Diet Coke is my nemesis. I have a cousin who is a nutritionist who says there is definitely a connection between weight gain and diet soda. Thanks for a great post!

    Reply
    • Glad I could help! I love Diet Coke myself but don’t keep it in the house for that very reason. On our occasional dinners out I will splurge on one but then it is back to water!

      Reply

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