Doctor Say’s
Looking hot on Brighton beach….
When the sun comes out in Brighton, a certain buzz fills the air. The beach volley ball courts fill up, the live reggae music starts playing and people start wearing a great deal less.
After sitting in the sunshine for awhile on Sunday, drinking my ice-cold Bulmers, I couldn’t help but notice that a few of of us have gone a little bit… well, soft and pale over the winter months – including myself, I need to tone up again. I’ve admittedly been very lazy and have possibly consumed my own body weight in red wine many times over during the cold dark days, and I feel sluggish.
It has happened to us all, we overindulge during the winter and put on a few pounds that we vow to shed before it’s summertime, but in reality it’s so much more fun to go and sit outside a pub and drink in the sun, than put your running shoes on and head down to the gym even though you know it’s good for you and there’s the motivation of plenty of eye candy.
According to a new ‘Waist Lines’ report into the dieting behaviour of British adults I’ve been reading, a desire to feel more attractive on the beach was one of the most common triggers for weight loss action, followed by seeing an unflattering holiday photo of yourself. Hmmn, sounds all too familiar.
I guess many of us set unrealistic goals when it comes to weight loss and toning up, which is why, according to this particular survey, over half of us gave up on our last diet within the first month.
Consultant psychologist to the stars, Dr Doolittle says: “Starting a new healthy eating and lifestyle regime is one of the biggest gifts we can give to ourselves. However, although most of us have a huge desire to suceed, we can find ourselves lacking in motivation and despite the benefits we know we will get from looking and feeling our best, many of us soon ‘fall off the diet wagon’. A shocking 25 per cent of people would even be willing to go under the knife to get rid of their extra pounds simply because they set unrealistic goals.”
Yes Dr Doolittle, I wholeheartedly agree.
Dr Doolittle’s room 101 for diet wreckers
So, as a single gal wanting to look as hot as I possibly can in my bikini this summer, when I read that a quarter of people admitted they had given up on their new fitness regime within a week or even on the very same day, I went and had a quick chat with Dr Doolittle who gave me some top tips on how we can all get in the mind-set to shape up our beach bodies and get a bit healthier for summer without the stress or the surgeon’s knife.
1. The Credit Crunch Blues
Dr Doolittle say’s: Banish BOREDOM to Diet Room 101: When the purse pennies have dried up it’s really tempting to stay in and comfort eat your way through the evenings. Boredom is often the no.1 diet wrecker, so to combat this, start a new regular social activity such as starting up a new social sport like volley ball or windsurfing or joining a gym to keep your mind occupied and off snacking in front of the TV.
2. The Quick Fix Fib
Dr Doolittle say’s: Banish FAD DIETS to Diet Room 101: It’s all too easy to jump on the latest fad diet that guarantees you can drop a dress size within hours. However, cutting out important food groups and sticking to regimented food plans can just leave you feeling deprived and craving bad fats and sugars. Instead kick start a well rounded healthy eating plan which you are more likely to stick to that incorporates a little of what you love as a treat.
3. Friends With Fast Metabolisms
Dr Doolittle say’s: Banish METABOLISM ENVY to Diet Room 101: Having friends or partners that can naturally eat what they want and burn it off straight away can be frustrating and can lead you straight back to the cookie jar. Find a friend that has the same weight loss goals as you and sign up to an activity together. Going together will not only be more fun but will remove the temptation to find an excuse to blame your own metabolism for when the pounds creep up.
4. The Work/ Life Imbalance
Dr Doolittle say’s: Banish OFFICE GOODIES to Diet Room 101: When stressed at work it’s all too easy to graze on chocolates and biscuits that people bring in and promise yourself that the diet will start tomorrow. Instead, stock up on satsumas and tasty crudites and dips. Exercise-wise, instead of having no routine, plan your physical activity for the week around work hours which will motivate you to stick to your new regime and eat more healthily too.
5. The Motivation Messers
Dr Doolittle say’s: Banish the MOTIVATION MESSERS to Diet Room 101: Snidy comments about our weight from boyfriends, girlfriends, or even friends and families can really take the motivation out of your new regime. Try instead to see it as a new excuse to look hotter than ever then reward yourself. Plan a really special treat for when you reach your ultimate goal e.g. new outfit or pair of shoes.
Off I trot then to get energentic at Fitness First tonight with a friend, I believe it’s Latin dance class this evening…. If Dr Doolittle’s advice is right, I’ll be looking hot on the beach before you can say ‘salsa’.
Written by Sarah L Sharp
This is an entry for the Beachdownwriter competition, all of the other entries can be seen here
Toe find out about the festival www.beachdownfestival.com
Tags: Beachdownwriter
