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How to Get Your Best Beach Body Before Summer Ends

By Kristi Molinaro | August 2, 2012 8:42am

As the summer flies by and the number of weeks for a beach getaway dwindle, time's running out to get that bikini body you've been looking for. For those of you who want to try a last-minute push for your summer fitness best, I've got a 2-week plan for how to whittle down in the fastest, and safest way possible:

1. Cut out all starchy carbs.

This is not something I would ever advocate long term, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and something as simple as eliminating bread can make a huge difference in your physique in a very short amount of time.

2. Drink lots of water

It’s been said over and over again, but water is one of the keys to weight loss. Often we mistake hunger for thirst, and staying hydrated can help prevent unnecessary snacking. Some studies have shown that drinking two large glasses of water before each meal will reduce the amount of food you consume and prevent from you from drinking other calorie-laden beverages.

3. Increase your fiber intake

An adequate amount of fiber in your diet helps to curb food cravings, keeps you feeling full and keeps you regular. Replace the starchy carbs you usually eat with colorful vegetables or try psyllum husk supplements.

4. Skip the alcohol

A glass of wine with dinner is ok, but many people find that cutting alcohol out completely can help them drop a few pounds fairly quickly. Alcohol is empty calories and the more you drink the more likely you are to snack on fattening foods.

5. Increase the cardio and lose the weights

As a long term fitness plan, I do not recommend this because weight-bearing exercises are important for bone strength and metabolism. However, if quick weight loss is the goal then cardio is the key. Do as much as you can squeeze in and make it as intense as you can handle. As a trainer, my favorite exercise for weight loss is running.

6. Dreadmill workouts

if you’re healthy enough to run and do intervals I have put together one of my infamous 30/60/90 Dreadmill workouts, or high-intensity hill workouts on a treadmill, for last minute results:

(Total time: Approximately 36 minutes including warm-up and cool-down)

Description                             Time                Incline                Speed              Intensity

Warm-up walk                        5 min                  4.0                2.0-4.0                    3

Walk/jog/run                            1 min                  4.0                5.0 or more            7

Walk                                        1 min                  4.0                2.0-4.0                    3

Walk/jog/run                            45 sec                 4.0                last sprint + 0.2     

Walk                                        1 min                  6.0                2.0-4.0                     3

Walk/jog/run                            1 min                  6.0                5.0 +                        7

Walk/Jog/run                            1 min                  8.0                5.0 +                        7

Walk                                        45 sec                 8.0                2.0-3.8                     3

Walk/jog/run                            45 sec                 8.0                last sprint + 0.2       8

Walk                                       1 min                 10.0               2.0-3.6                     3

Walk/jog/run                          50 sec                 10.0              5.0 +                        7

Walk                                       45 sec                10.0                2.0-3.6                     3

Walk/jog/run                            40 sec               10.0              last sprint + 0.2       8

Walk                                        1 min                 12.0               2.0-3.4                     3

Walk/jog/run                            40 sec                12.0               5.0 +                        7

Walk                                        45 sec                12.0               2.0-3.4                     3

Walk/jog/run                            35 sec                12.0               last sprint + 0.2      8

Walk                                        90 sec                 14.0              2.0-3.2                    3

Walk/jog/run                            40 sec                 14.0              5.0 or more            7

Walk                                        45 sec                 14.0              2.0-3.2                    3

Walk/jog/run                            35 sec                 14.0              last sprint + 0.2      8

Walk                                        90 sec                 15.0              2.0-3.2                    3

Walk/jog/run                            35 sec                 15.0              5.0 +                        8

Walk                                        90 sec                 10.0              2.0-3.6                     3

Walk/jog/run                            35 sec                 10.0              5.0 +                        8

Walk                                        35 sec                 8.0                2.0-3.8                     3

Walk/jog/run                            35 sec                 8.0                last sprint + 0.2       8

Walk                                        40 sec                 6.0                2.0-4.0                     3

Walk/jog/run                            40 sec                 6.0                last sprint + 0.2       8

Walk                                       40 sec                 4.0                 2.0-4.0                    3

Walk/jog/run                          40 sec                 4.0                 last sprint + 0.2      8

Cool-down                              3 min                 2.0                  2.0-4.0                   3