Last-Minute Tips For A Leaner Beach Body

By Hoffman, Melody K

So, the beach party is one week away and you Still haven’t accepted the Evite? ‘Don’t be a party pooper and avoid the fun just because of a few rolls and jiggles. Depending upon the intensity of your cardio workouts and the foods you consume that week, you can gain quick, realistic results. Personal trainers Rahman Grayson, owner of Athletes and Entertainers In Motion in Atlanta, and Sam Bell, also a nutrition specialist, of Sam Bell Body based in California, offer tips on how to get lean and to lose a few pounds. Both trainers caution that the following tips will not help you lose a lot of body fat and weight in seven days, but rather help you tone and lose those stubborn five pounds so you can feel confident in your swimsuit.

Rahman Grayson

Owner of Athletes and Entertainers In Motion, Inc.

Clients have been R&B singers Ciara, LeToya Luckett and NFL All- Pro running back Edgerrin James

‘Photo Ready’ Fitness Plan

1. Total Body Burn

Work your muscles from head to toe with compound exercises like squat presses (dumbbell squat w/an overhead press) and lunge curls (dumbbell curls with walking lunges). Also try and keep your heart rate elevated by doing jumping jacks or jump rope between exercises. Repeat this four to five days a week.

2. Cardio, Cardio, Cardio

Do daily 45- to 60-minute cardio workouts. That’s right, daily! Ididn’t tell you to wait until the last minute, but you did. Cardio boxing is a great way to chisel that upper body for the beach. Two of my other favorite calorie burners are walking on the treadmill at an incline and the step mill Stairmaster because they help tone those legs and buttocks. If you can’t make it to the gym, it’s OK. A brisk walk, light jog or run a few times around the neighborhood will do.

3. Blast Your Core

Crunches, sit-ups, reverse crunches, bicycles and side twists are just a few of the thousands of core exercises. Find four or five of your favorites and get to work. Don’t worry about a certain number- tax season is over. Just go until it burns, take a quick break, then go again.

4. Hydrate Your System

There is nothing better for your body than water. Try to take in at leasts liters of water daily (if you don’t cut out the salt and bread from your diet, this may backfire). If you have the need to mix it up, try some green tea. Absolutely no processed drinks and juices.

Sam Bell

Owner of Sam Bell Body Fitness Trainer/Executive Chef/ Nutritional Consultant

Clients have included comedian Luenell, R&B singer Ray J, “Days of Our Lives” actress Alison Sweeney

Nutrition Tips For A Ripped Body

1. Fuel Your Machine

Eat five to six small healthy meals throughout the day every three to four hours. The small meals will help regulate your appetite and curb urges to reach for those unhealthy snacks. Eat all clean foods. For example, no sweets, processed foods, breads, sodas, juices, dairy and fried foods.

2. Cut Back On Carbs

When you try to get lean quickly, watch complex carbs (i.e. pasta, bread, potatoes) so that you don’t retain so much water. Focus on getting more of your carbs from fruits and vegetables and unprocessed grains.

3. Increase Your Protein

Eating more protein-lean meat, fish, chicken, tuna, egg whites- allows your body to repair from your workouts and build muscle. The more muscle you have, the more fat/calories your body burns which leads to a leaner individual.

4. Fruit Selection

Relying on fruit to get yciu through your cake and ice cream sweet cravings is great. However, if you’re munchingall day, try to avoid high sugar fruits such as cherries, pineapples and mangos. Fresh berries are highly recommended as well as green apples, cantaloupe and grapefruit.

5. No Alcohol

Since you want to slim down quickly, avoid alcohol-even wine. Alcohol stops your body’s fat-burning power, so you want to keep it out of your system.

By Melody K. Hoffman

JET MAGAZINE

Copyright Johnson Publishing Company Jun 30, 2008

(c) 2008 Jet. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.