Ah yes, that time of the year again. People are returning from spring break and everyone is realizing that we only have two months left of school! And everyone knows what starts when school comes to an end….summer!!! Or the season that many girls refer to as “bikini season.” My friends were talking about how they have noticed that more and more girls have been going to the gym recently. It could be the warm weather putting people in a good mood and making them want to go to the gym, but it could also be the slippery slope of girls feeling pressure to achieve the perfect bikini bottom for summer 2019. Although it makes sense that girls want to look good and feel confident this summer, it is also important to keep in mind that it is as important to stay healthy mentally as well. It is awesome to have fitness goals, but it is important to make sure that we remain healthy mentally when trying to achieve them. Here are a few tips on how to do this:
- Make healthier choices, but don’t restrict!
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When trying to slim down, many girls turn to counting calories which is a very dangerous slope. The fact of the matter is that yes, eating with a calorie deficit will cause you to lose weight but this is not a good way to do this. Instead of eating less food, just make healthier choices. For example, drink water instead of soda. Or maybe instead of having ice cream for dessert every night, have some fruit to satisfy that sweet tooth.
- Use the gym as a tool, not a punishment!
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You should be using the gym as a place to make yourself feel good! When thinking about going to the gym, make sure that you’re going because you want to and it makes you feel healthy and strong, not because you feel guilty for eating the pizza you had the night before. It is important not to view the gym as punishment because that can turn into a very unhealthy relationship.
- Try not to compare yourself to others!
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As hard as it is, try your best not to compare yourself to other girls. Especially the models you see on instagram. We often forget how much editing and photoshop goes on behind the scenes in those pictures, and then we hold ourselves to unrealistic beauty standards. You don’t have to have rock hard abs, perky boobs, and a huge butt to be beautiful, so don’t use pictures of super models to be your “goal” for your summer body.
- Find a swimsuit that flatters your body, wear what is comfortable to you!
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When bathing suit shopping, don’t feel like you have to pick a tiny bikini. Try to find a swimsuit that you feel comfortable in. Trust me, you’re going to have way more fun at the beach if you feel happy and confident, rather than worrying that you don’t look good and feel self conscious in what you’re wearing.