If you want to be fit and trim by the time school starts in the fall, the good news is that you have the whole summer to prepare for it. More free time and good weather means you'll be more inclined to keep active and improve your diet. Depending on how much weight you want to lose, starting as early as June might be a good idea.
Step 1
Take up a sport. Summer is the ideal time to swim or hike, play Frisbee in the park or take long walks on the beach (sand adds resistance and makes the walk more strenuous). Rather than exercising at the gym, spend time having fun outdoors, and you won't even realize you're burning calories.
Step 2
Drink lots of icy water. Cold drinks speed up metabolism, because it takes more energy for the body to warm the liquid up before processing it. Unsweetened iced tea, seltzer water and diet drinks are all good options, too.
Step 3
Increase the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat each day. Summer is a great time to eat fruit salads. Try cold tomato soup or enjoy fresh veggies--but skip the fat-laden dressing. Have a large salad for lunch; adding cottage cheese or apple slices for bulk will help you feel fuller.
Step 4
Sleep more. Before school starts and obligations keep you up later at night, use your vacation days to stay well rested. Lack of sleep can lead to hunger spikes, cravings and mood swings, which in turn can lead to emotional eating. Sleeping at least seven hours a day can help keep your body balanced and aid with weight loss.
Step 5
Develop an eating strategy. Strive for five to six small meals a day, and make sure you are eating lean proteins and whole grains. This will help you lose weight and keep it off once school starts and your schedule becomes more hectic.
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