Opinion

Spring Break Body Ready?

The countdown is on – three weeks to spring break. If you are lucky enough to be leaving snowy, dreadfully cold weather, you probably have several pictures of Victoria’s Secret models taped all over your refrigerators for body motivation just in time for that exotic vacation. I am guilty of it too and I’m not even going to be in a bikini anytime soon.

Most girls on a college campus have been extreme dieting and hitting those late night gym sessions after class to look their best when hitting the beach.

Now let’s be realistic for a minute. No fad or crash diet is going to get you to look like Miranda Kerr in three short weeks. Honestly, you should really be embracing whatever size or shape you are and love yourself for who you are.

However, if you really want to be serious and take up a healthier lifestyle, it does require weeks and even months in advance of hard work and will power. If you already planned ahead and have been diligently drinking your green smoothies and eating salads, you are on the right track.

So what do you do when you have been pigging out on Chipotle every day for lunch and hitting up Taco Bell for a midnight snack and your vacation is creeping up? For starters, put down that quesadilla you’re munching on and listen up.

If you want to be a healthier version of yourself by the time you board that plane for spring break, or just in general, there are a few healthy remedies that I personally am a fan of and swear by.

A few tricks to lose that bloated feeling and get you feeling lighter is by drinking warm water with lemon first thing in the morning. According to womenshealth.com, “A mug of hot lemon water in the morning wakes up your digestive system and helps get things moving. You can also drink green tea with lemon if you don’t like the taste of warm lemon water on its own.”

Another suggestion that may be a little trickier, as I have been wanting to try, yet haven’t had the discipline to, is to try going dairy free a few days before your trip. Many people feel belly discomfort after eating dairy. If that’s you, leave out the cream and yogurt from your morning breakfast.

I love dairy and I incorporate it into almost anything so I have yet had the guts to completely eliminate it, but I will soon try it because I hear going dairy free makes a remarkable difference.

Sounding like a broken record, an extremely important health tip is to remember to drink plenty of water throughout your days, especially before you break out the bikini. Drinking the right amount of water not only does wonders to your skin and hair, it is excellent for trying to get rid of stomach bloat, because who wants that yucky feeling anyway?

For lunch or dinner, try adding some asparagus to your meal. As stated on yahoo.healthyliving.com, “Asparagus encourages digestive health by stimulating the growth of good bacteria in your body. Eat a dinner that’s heavy with the veggies and add a lean protein like chicken or fish for further debloating properties.”

I know as college students it is ridiculously hard to get a decent night’s sleep but this is another very important tip for looking your best. Get off Instagram and get some shut eye.

Most of these suggestions are ones I have tried and it works for me. Everyone’s body is different, yet these are healthy tips that you should follow in general, even if you will be spending your spring break binge watching on Netflix.

Having confidence is the best tip of advice I can give. Flaunt and embrace your beautiful curves.