4-WEEK PLAN
Weight Loss
Eating Tips
Recipe Ideas
Plateaus & Pitfalls
4-WEEK PLAN
Motivational Tips
Do's and Don'ts
Expert Tips
Overall Fitness
4-WEEK PLAN
Insider Tip
Beauty Products
Bikini Confidence
4-WEEK PLAN
Causes/Origins
Treatment
Expert Q&A
Hot Tips:
Measure your waist and hips before you begin a new eating program, then measure again in 2 weeks to check results. Get a friend to take a picture of you in your swimsuit, then stick it to the fridge. Drink plenty of water to feel full and make your skin glow. Way better than diet soda! Divide your favorite treats into single-serving portions so you don't overindulge when you have a craving. Green tea is full of antioxidants and has a great effect on metabolism. Have a cup instead of a diet soda! Keep some healthy snacks like veggie sticks & hummus handy so you can satisfy your hunger in a positive way. If you're short on time, grab a protein bar instead of fast food. But check the labels; all bars are not created equal! Buddy up! Nothing keeps you motivated like a good friend who's doing this along with you. Avoid daily weigh-ins. Body weight can fluctuate for lots of reasons, so try not to weigh yourself more than once a week. Don't depend on the scale. Muscle weighs more than fat, so if you're working out a lot, the scale can be deceiving. Perk up your salad with some jicama! It's like a cross between an apple and a radish, and a cup has 40% of your daily vitamin C. Check a restaurant's menu online before you go, and pick something healthy ahead of time. Focus on small goals. Small achievements along the way are just as important as the end result! Your metabolism needs food to function, so eat three small meals plus a few light snacks to keep your energy high and your metabolism going strong. Buy a new outfit! Why wait till you've reached your goal to treat yourself? It may be just the motivation you need. Stay positive. Beating yourself up over a missed workout or a bad food choice is counterproductive. Forgive yourself for slip-ups and move on. Tape pictures of your favorite bikinis on the bathroom mirror, the fridge, the pantry—constant reminders that you'll be bikini-ready by summer! Treat yourself to a facial or other spa treatment. While improving your eating habits, do something for yourself that just feels good! Write it down. What spurred you to make these changes in your nutrition and fitness routines? Then, whenever you feel your determination slipping, pull out the list. Are your cupboards full of junk food? Toss it out or hide it. Out of sight, out of mind. Set reminders on your computer for mid-morning and afternoon snacks. You're far more likely to stay on track if you get a healthy snack in before your hunger gets out of control. If you're near a farmers' market, visit it every week. Nothing keeps you on track like a great selection of fresh, local produce. Don't go food shopping when you're hungry! Stick to your list by shopping on a full stomach. Make no excuses! The only one you're cheating is yourself. Seek support from friends and family. A pep talk from your sister, mom or best friend will help rev you up. Keep your meals colorful. Bright green broccoli and vibrantly orange sweet potatoes look delicious next to a piece of grilled fish or chicken. Ask for help if you need it. Share your motivational tips with others and get fresh ideas from them. When your jeans get too big, celebrate by giving them to Goodwill. Buy yourself a new pair in the right size. While sitting at your computer with feet firmly planted on the floor, inhale and tighten your abs; hold for a count of 8, exhale and release. Repeat 10 times. Don't just stand there! When you find yourself waiting in line, use the opportunity to tighten your glutes. Squeeze and release. Instead of old-fashioned sit-ups, try stomach crunches. These small, controlled moves really isolate the muscles in your abdomen and give a great workout. Circuit training helps you maximize your workout time and results. To replace essential fluids, curb hunger, and provide much-needed calcium, drink mineral water with magnesium and calcium after (or during) a workout. Keep the nutrients in your diet at a high level. Don't try to boost your energy with sugary snacks or caffeine. You may get a temporary boost but you'll also crash. When it comes to cardio, interval training is excellent. Add some hill profiles to your stair climber or treadmill. Incorporate a few sprints into your walk or run. Engage in full-body workouts for the biggest health benefit. It's fine to work on specific muscle groups, but try to work at least two areas at each workout. Keep some refreshing beauty products in your gym bag – things that smell great and make you feel good. Use wipes scented with lavender or tea tree oil to disinfect your yoga mat before using it. You'll have a cleaner mat and the added bonus of aromatherapy while you work out. A good way to warm up before you begin is with three minutes of cardio: jumping jacks, jogging in place, dancing, or running up and down the stairs. Don't start out with very heavy weights, especially if you haven't worked out in a while. You can always increase weights as you build muscle. Yoga is an excellent choice for cross-training. It provides a full-body workout and combats stress while building strength and flexibility. If you feel unmotivated, discouraged, and can't get out the door, remember the mantra—bikini, tankini, bikini, tankini… As you improve your fitness level, you may be surprised at your increased energy and general feeling of well-being. Increased fitness has all sorts of benefits for your body – and your mind. Nothing feels as good as the muscle ache after a good workout. Play up your assets! Boost your bikini confidence by focusing on your best features. Got great hair? Make it the “mane event” and do it up when you head to the beach. A bright scarf or sporty headband will draw attention. A sheer sarong might be just the thing you need to feel more comfortable as you ease into baring more skin. Tie a sheer sarong around your hips to show off toned abs, or wrap it across your bust for a strapless dress look. Draw attention upward with a stylish new hat. Protect your face from the sun while adding a fun accessory to your outfit! Your legs look great now, but don't stop there! Polish your look with a fresh manicure and pedicure. You'll look great from tip to toe! A little heel makes legs look longer and leaner, so keep heel height in mind when shopping for a cute new pair of summer sandals. Espadrilles with a wedge heel are a great choice for summer. If you choose a black swimsuit, play with color in your accessories. Try a brightly colored sandal, a patterned beach bag, or wild new sunglasses. If you shave, always do so after a hot shower, when your skin is warm and moistened, to avoid bumps and irritation. Even if you've used a self-tanner you already have a base from some sunny spring days, an SPF 30 sunscreen is absolutely essential. Reapply sunscreen every few hours, especially after taking a dip. It's best to avoid direct sun exposure during midday, when the sun is at its most damaging. Shop for a swimsuit with a friend you trust to give you her honest opinion. If your top half is a different size than your bottom, go for mix & match separates. You won't be standing still all day when you hit the beach, so don't you need to know how the swimsuit moves with you in the fitting room. If dark colors are a staple of your wardrobe, you'll feel more confident in a swimsuit in a similar color. Want more coverage in a skimpy swimsuit? Don't get a bigger size, try a different style. Some swimsuit styles just might not work on your body type. Don't even consider buying a swimsuit that's uncomfortable—no matter how much the salesperson tells you that you look fabulous in it! A swimsuit is one garment you need to feel completely comfortable in. If it looks great and feels great, it's the right suit for you. Everyone has a body part they're less than thrilled with. If your waist is your issue, try one of the new belted styles. Have a thick waist? Graphic swimsuit patterns can also minimize it. A smaller chest can actually be an asset when it comes to swimsuits. Embrace your body and avoid bulky padding and enhancers. A classic bandeau top on a swimsuit always looks sophisticated, but is hard to pull off if you're larger than a B cup. If your chest is at the larger end of the spectrum, a good fit is key. Look for suits with a wider strap for more support and increased comfort. If you want a low-cut swimsuit, try to find one with a higher cut in the armhole; it balances and stabilizes the front. Use NIVEA Body Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream to reduce the appearance of cellulite. After only two weeks you should see smoother, more toned skin. Try NIVEA Body Sun-Kissed Firming Moisturizer to help you get a jump on a lovely tanned body. Have heavy thighs? Pick a swimsuit with a higher-cut leg opening will actually elongate the look of your leg and make it appear slimmer. Looking for a new swimsuit? Experiment by trying on various styles. You can't tell how it will look when it's on the hanger. Once you choose a new suit, treat it with care. Proper washing and drying will add to the life of the garment and keep it looking newer longer. Never hang a wet swimsuit from its straps! It causes undue wear and tear to the elastic. Don't forget a beach cover-up. Some places won't serve you in just a swimsuit. Pick an eye-catching beach cover-up for your swimsuit. A little cotton dress or a cute pair of shorts and a top are perfect. Less is more; don't overdo it on the beach accessories. A simple gold chain and a pair of gold earrings always look great on sun-kissed skin. Swimsuits aren't necessarily sized like your street clothes. Use your regular size as a starting point, but be open to trying on different sizes in different styles. 24 hours before hitting the sand, give your whole body a facial. Use any product you would use on your face to absorb excess oil, exfoliate dead skin cells, and clear pores. Bathing suit salespeople should know their stock pretty well and may have just the suit that will flatter your shape. Don't be shy—take advantage of their expertise! Everyone has imperfections, so adopt a positive outlook and let your confidence shine through. Remember, nobody is as critical of you as you are. Embrace the positive! Don't forget your most important accessory: a great big smile! It will go a long way to making you look and feel your best. Cellulite results from an excess storage of fat in deeper skin layers beneath the connective tissue. NIVEA Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream works to reduce visible signs of cellulite. NIVEA Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream contains the natural fat burner L-Carnitine, which supports the conversion of fat into energy Anti-cellulite massages, especially on areas like the thighs, buttocks and belly, can help increase blood circulation and reduce cellulite. NIVEA Good-bye Cellulite Gel-Cream formula has a cooling effect, which leads to an increase in blood circulation. Even women who are in very good physical shape can have cellulite. If you're susceptible to cellulite, extra body weight can increase the cellulite's visibility. A healthy, well-balanced diet is a good way to help battle cellulite. Be sure to eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. While you're increasing your consumption of healthy stuff, cut back on caffeine, soda, and alcohol. You might not be overweight and still you've got some cellulite. Why? Heredity and genetics play a part. If grandma and mom had it, so could you. Female hormones play a role in the presence of cellulite, which is why nearly 90% of all women seem to have it. While cellulite can begin on women as young as 15, it's more prevalent in older women and usually increases with age. A diet rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids and nutrients like lecithin can help reduce cellulite. Lecithin aids in the digestion of fat. Good sources include: eggs, soy, oranges, spinach, peanut butter, whole grains, iceberg lettuce, and tomatoes. Essential fatty acids are also an important part of a nutrition plan to help reduce cellulite. Foods high in essential fatty acids include ground flax seed, olive oil, raw nuts and canola oil. Of the 20 amino acids that our bodies need, we only produce 11. To get the other 9, eat whole grains, beans, tofu, nuts, seeds, and lean protein. Antioxidants protect the skin and organs, so take plenty of green tea extract, Vitamin C and E, and grape seed extract. According to the experts, cellulite is not a fat problem as much as a skin problem. The fat that makes you a size 10 instead of a size 6 is deep under the surface of your skin. Fat cells that live near the surface are the cause of cellulite. Combining a program of healthy eating, exercise, and topical treatments for your skin can produce the best results for cellulite reduction. Liposuction targets deep fat, instead of fat which is close to the skin (the cause of cellulite). Women's bodies are designed to store more fat than men's are. This aids in pregnancy and lactation – and, unfortunately, the development of cellulite. Reduced blood circulation in the top layer of skin weakens the surrounding tissue making it more susceptible to cellulite. The most common places for cellulite to develop are the thighs and buttocks. Estrogen plays a large part in determining the number and location of fat cells in the body. Stress can cause a surge of adrenaline, which can lead to increased fat storage in the stomach, hips, buttocks, and thighs. If you are inactive or sedentary, your lifestyle may contribute to the reduced blood circulation that may lead to the development of cellulite. Smoking can lead to cellulite! The nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict and thereby reduces circulation.
If your chest is at the larger end of the spectrum, a good fit is key. Look for suits with a wider strap for more support and increased comfort. If you want it low-cut, try to find a suit with a higher cut in the armhole; it balances the front and helps to keep everything where it should be.
Come back tomorrow for a new tip!