Bikini body diets, workouts, and articles come out every year with the warmer weather. Everyone has a different approach to swimsuit season, but most people fall somewhere between doing frantic detox cleanses and avoiding take off that beach coverup altogether.
For help from someone that really knows what works, we talked to Jen Arricale, a professional figure competitor. She’s a pro PNBA Physique Competitor, Member of Team USA, and Natural Olympia Medalist. She also knows healthy eating: she’s also a cookbook author and the nutrition expert for Complete Nutrition.
Jen has an awesome practical advice, but reminds us all:
While there are no quick fixes, secret tricks or magic pills, there is a way to look your best when you are wearing your least no matter how much time you have until that revealing day. The longer you have, the greater the results. And the best part is: it cost next to nothing, other than a commitment to yourself.
Bikini, Physique, and Figure Athletes
Jen went on to talk about how bikini athletes train and eat before competitions.
“Bodybuilders” (and physique, figure and bikini athletes) have been on a strict training and eating regime for three to six months – not just walking on the stage after a few days of “crazy stuff”. As a competitive natural bodybuilder, I do nothing crazy, and it saddens me that there are some in the sport that do some pretty unhealthy things to themselves during that week. But let me share a secret: these final tweaks, crazy or not, only work as a final tuning on an already shredded body, and to create an illusion during a moment on stage. Just a moment.
Now that doesn’t sound like a good deal, does it? Well here’s some good news: following what the pro’s do during the months leading up to their moment on stage – that’s where you’ll find tips that will guarantee you to have your best possible beach body.
Top 7 Best Bikini Body Tips
1. Lay off the white crystals.
I mean salt and sugar. It limits belly bloat and overall water retention.
2. Cut out the alcohol.
Sorry, but it works. No exceptions if you want exceptional results.
3. Drink water.
It may seem odd, but the more water you drink, the more you can flush out the bad inflammatory stuff and get to your tightest, svelte self.
4. Eat clean to get lean.
This can have a noticeable effect even after just a week – even more time means even more results! To eat “clean” is easy: nothing processed. Eat single ingredient food that doesn’t have a food label – think about what that is: fresh produce, lean meat, fish and dairy, legumes and whole grains. Processed food, even the ones that claim to be fat-free, sugar-free or carb-free are usually terribly high in salt, sugar, chemicals, and other undesirable edibles to make up for what they claim is removed.
5. Eat often.
Don’t starve yourself, this does nothing to banish fat or tighten muscles. Eat every few hours to keep your metabolism fired, and the timing and amount of what you eat should vary depending on what you are doing. Eat to exercise, don’t exercise to un-eat.
6. HIIT it.
Do some high intensity interval training (HIIT) to fire your fat-burning metabolism after you lift or train to burn fat while doing your cardio AND for an after burn. This is where HIIT trumps steady-state cardio- it keeps on working even after you quit.
7. Get a spray tan.
Bronzing isn’t just for the face – a nice spray tan is a great optical illusion to make us look slimmer and makes the muscles “pop” for the guys.
This is the most sure-fire way to get out on the beach feeling and looking your best. So do this for yourself – be good to your body, and your body will do you good.
