The closest relationship I’ve had these past few weeks has been with my refrigerator. It loves me. Probably because it sees me like every five minutes. #Sigh.
Literally. I’m hungry all the time and staying home in a small apartment because of the current pandemic isn’t helping.
I still want my bikini body though. I’m pretty slim if you want to describe my body type. But these past few weeks, I have definitely noticed a small pouch that I tried to ignore at first. But now I realize that I better address this head-on before I lose control of it.
No matter what your body goals are, we could all do with some fitness this period. There is no conversation that can make this pandemic good, but at least we can swing it to our benefit. It is always good to stay healthy and fit.
Although, I like to say that a bikini body is whatever you want it to be.
Here are a few tips that I have adhered to that helps me reach my own bikini body.
Regular workouts
Doctors recommend at least 20 minutes of exercise every day for an average person. Now that we are 10 times more sedentary than before because we have to stay at home, that number can be upped. I do a series of abs, core and butt workouts using YouTube or an app called Workout for Women. Targeted especially for problem areas. I suggest doing it first thing before you go on with your day. Before the kids wake up. Take it as your “me” time. Put on some stretchy tights or workout clothes and some afro-beats jam and fight those fat rolls! Yes!
Dieting and food choices
No matter how much exercise you do, if you go back to eat a bowl of fufu on a daily basis, it won’t give you your desired result.
Diet plays a huge role in body type. When shopping for the quarantine, try to pick up more vegetables and fewer carbs. Avoid excessive snacks and if you must snack, try snacking on fruits and nuts with high fibre and low carbs and sugar. Stay away from sugary and carbonated drinks and juices and consider switching them up with drinks high in antioxidants like green tea, ginger and lemon drinks. Stay hydrated and take up a water challenge that will help you drink 3 litres of water and upwards.
Try intermittent fasting
While this may not be my choice, it has proven to be very effective for a whole lot of people. It is basically when you have a few hours window in a day to eat and the rest of the day, you don’t eat a single thing. This may be tough because a lot of us are at home with not much to take our minds away from food, but it does not hurt to give it a try. If you are more disciplined than me and my refrigerator, you should get through this in a breeze.
Here’s to taking care of our physical as well as our mental health this period. Because we are about to show up after this pandemic all glowed up!
Who is with me?