7 Ways to Get Bikini-Ready for Spring Break

Contrary to popular belief, a strict diet and extreme workout regimen aren’t the best ways to get into shape. This is mainly because they aren’t sustainable. After a few months, you’ll likely struggle with the restrictions and go back to eating more and moving less. The secret to being healthy is finding balance. So before throwing away all the cookies in your pantry, keep reading.

In this article, we list a few ways to help you get bikini-ready this spring. From focusing on skincare to moving your body, here’s how to achieve the body you want:

1. Reduce Bloating

Has your weight fluctuated recently? Believe it or not, it might be due to bloating. Sometimes the food we eat doesn’t agree with our bodies and disrupts our digestive system. When this happens, our stomach fills with air or gas and causes bloating.

While it may look similar, bloating is not weight gain and is much easier to get rid of. Go for a walk, enjoy a massage, or take a gas relief supplement. Any of these could help alleviate your bloating.

However, if you have chronic bloating that occurs several times a week or more, your diet might be to blame. In that case, pay attention to what you eat and how it impacts your stomach. For example, do you notice pain or discomfort after eating dairy? Try eliminating dairy for a week to see whether it makes a difference.

2. Take Care of Your Skin

Making sure you’re bikini-ready isn’t just about reaching your ideal body weight — it’s about your skin too. Do you suffer from body acne? That might affect your confidence about rocking a swimsuit this spring.

Chances are, you’ve tried several different products to get rid of your acne to no avail. While some over-the-counter skin care products treat acne, they might not work for your skin type. Don’t stress. Instead, consult a healthcare provider who can evaluate your skin. They can determine what’s causing your acne and develop the optimal acne treatment plan.

For example, they might prescribe an antibiotic, retinoid, or even a birth control pill to help your skin stay clear. The sooner you get control of your skin, the more confident you’ll feel in a bikini.

3. Hydrate

Drinking water is one of the best things you can do for your health. Water removes waste from your body by helping the kidneys filter toxins. It’s also a natural appetite suppressant, so if you’re trying to shed a few pounds, drinking water is a must.

It’s also worth mentioning that water is good for your skin. If you want a dewy complexion, make sure to drink enough water during the day. But what exactly is “enough”? Research suggests an adequate amount of fluids per day is about 15.5 cups for men and 11.5 cups for women.

To help you consume more water during the day, carry a water bottle around with you. Additionally, certain fruits and vegetables like apples and cucumbers are high in water content. Consider adding these to your diet to increase your fluid intake.

4. Move Your Body

You no doubt expected to see an exercise tip on this list, so here it is. To achieve the body you want, you will have to put in work. This doesn’t mean waking up for 5 a.m. Crossfit session every day or running a marathon (unless you want to). But you should make exercise a regular part of your routine.

To maintain your weight, aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Find an activity or workout class you enjoy and stick to it. You might choose to go for a 30-minute walk every morning or take a yoga class twice a week. Remember, you don’t have to work up a sweat to see results — just get moving and be consistent.

5. Get Enough Sleep

It’s called beauty sleep for a reason. Getting enough sleep every night is crucial to your well-being, as well as your physical appearance. Think about it. How do you look and feel in the morning after a restless night of sleep?

To look your best, be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep, between seven to eight hours, each night. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, take a good look at your routine. Are you exercising late at night or going to sleep on a full stomach? These decisions could be impacting your quality of sleep, and you should consider making changes.

If none of those changes make a difference, talk to your doctor. They could prescribe a sleep medication or recommend a natural supplement to help you get the sleep you need.

6. Reduce Stress

Believe it or not, stress plays a huge role in your physical appearance as well as your mental state. When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol, which can increase your appetite. In some people, an increase in cortisol causes the body to store fat it would otherwise burn.

Feeling stressed is a common part of life. However, during the spring months, with kids out of school and vacations lined up, stress often increases. Even getting your body bikini-ready might be adding stress to your life. Do your best to relax and not let it control you.

To alleviate stress, spend some time outdoors or with friends. Doing small things for yourself every day, like getting a massage or reading, will also help improve your mood.

7. Embrace Your Body

Have you gained a few pounds during the pandemic? It’s important to remember it’s not the end of the world. Most people experience fluctuations in their weight, so don’t let it impact your mood. Instead, view weight gain as a normal part of life and an opportunity to make some lifestyle changes this spring.

Maybe it’s not your weight that has you feeling down this bikini season. If the condition of your skin is affecting your mood, the same applies. Everyone’s skin goes through changes, and it’s nothing to stress about. Using the right acne treatment, getting adequate sleep, and staying hydrated will likely clear those blemishes. If not, remember that your pimples don’t make you any less deserving of fun in the sand and sun.

It’s important to remember that your body is beautiful exactly how it is. Practice positive self-talk to boost your confidence.

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to start planning! Are you going to the beach with family during break? Do you have a girl’s trip coming up and want to rock your new bikini? The tips above will help you feel more confident in your body this spring.