How to Get Ready for Swimsuit Season

I don’t feel the need to starve myself to make sure I feel swimsuit ready, but I do like to be ready. I had a bit of a wake-up call recently when I put on a pair of shorts that were a little too tight. Then I stepped on the scale.

I decided that it was time to go back to what I know about nutrition and accountability so I’m ready to hit the pool. I do that not by taking drastic measures, but by using a few simple tools that are easy to replicate in your own home.

Stick to Containers

The 21 Day Fix containers are a big part of my nutrition plan. When I first started using them, I noticed that the amount of food I was consuming increased but the quality of food increased as well. So I was able to eat more and still lose weight. The containers help me make sure I’m eating the right portions of protein, carbs and other food groups so I never feel like I’m depriving myself.

Have a Plan

As Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” When you plan your meals in advance, you’ll hit all the containers you need, have a list to take with you to the store and have the right foods ready and prepped for your next meal. It’s also easy to customize some of your meals to accommodate personal preferences. For example, if someone in your family doesn’t eat red meat, you can have an alternative planned out in advance.

Meal Prep

When you’re busy and busing kids around all afternoon, getting a healthy dinner on the table at a reasonable hour is easy if you’ve prepped ahead of time. Whether it’s chopping vegetables on the weekend or using leftover meat from the night before, if you know in advance what you’re going to have for dinner it doesn’t take much time at all to get it ready early. As an added bonus, prepped meals work great for taking your lunch to work.

Shop Smart

It’s all about what you have in the kitchen. If you have a bunch of junk, you’re going to eat junk. I wrote about shopping smart a few weeks ago, but I’ll run through some of the key points. First, go to the store with a list so you’re not tempted to make up your meal plan on the fly. Find alternatives to grains, like spaghetti squash and sweet potatoes. Quinoa is also a great choice, and you can find it in bulk at Costco.

The Last Resort

Sometimes all of the above fail and you’re just craving a treat. La Croix is a good alternative to sodas and alcoholic beverages and has no calories or sugar. Kumbucha is also a great, sweet treat—but look for one that’s not too sugary. And, if you just need a real treat, one piece of dark chocolate is probably the best option. As long as you don’t eat the whole bag.

What’s your plan for getting ready for swimsuit season? If you’re in Arizona, like me, it’s already feeling like time to jump in the pool!

Need help reaching your goals? Reach out! I’m here to help!

About Lee

I am a 44-year old married mom of 4. I love my family. If you’re a mom, then you know kids and a spouse keep you busy. It’s easy to forget yourself in the process of taking care of your family. My mission is to help other moms take care of themselves so they can be more available to their loved ones and lead more fulfilling lives.