As the founders of Fit & PHAB, we want everyone to look their best for that special someone on Valentine’s Day! With simple health and glam tips leading up to the big day, we will have you looking and feeling like a star from the inside out!
Here are Craigs 10 tips on simple ways to slim down in the 10-days leading up to Valentine’s Day.
Tip 1: Short and powerful workouts work!
Studies have shown that splitting your 30-40 minute big workout into shorter 5-10 minute workouts throughout the day can more beneficial for weight loss. You never give your fat burning metabolism a chance to slow down.
Tip 2: Drink WATER
Kidneys get lazy when you don’t drink enough water and will give most of it’s unfinished work to your liver. The liver helps your body burn stored fat for energy and it won’t work efficiently if it has to do the kidneys job as well.
Drink water and your kidneys will work efficiently, excreting waste products from your body.
Try and drink at least Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
Tip 3: Eat your raw fruits & veggies
People who eat fruits & veggies tend to lose weight faster. Fruits & vegetables give you long lasting energy and fight off hunger cravings.
Tip 4: Green Tea
Drinking 3-5 cups of green tea a day can help you burn roughly 40% more fat during the day.
Tip 5: LESS SALT
Sodium holds up to 50 times its weight in water.
When you limit the amount of sodium you eat, your body will begin to expel some of that unwanted water weight.
Tip 6: Walk a mile in your shoes.
Walk 10,000 plus steps a day and lose weight.
A pedometer can help you keep track of your movement and motivate you to achieve a pep in your step. 10,000 steps a day roughly burns an extra 100 calories. That adds up.
Tip 7: Music motivates movement.
Make a few playlists of your favorite tunes. Nothing will motivate you more than your own music choices. Keep the music upbeat, uptempo and let it inspire you to move forward. My Wireless Beats by Dre are a great addition to my exercise program. No cord means no restrictions.
Tip 8: Sleep the fat away.
People who sleep over 8 hours and people who sleep under 6 hours are more likely to gain weight than people who sleep the normal 7-8 hours a night. When you don’t get enough sleep, leptin levels lower in your body. Leptin is a blood protein that suppresses your appetite.
Tip 9: CHEW on this!
Chew your food at least 8-12 times before swallowing. Eat slowly and your body will realize it’s fuller faster.
Tip 10: Mind over Food Matters
Use smaller plates which will make your food portion size appear bigger. Also, use smaller appetizer utensils for your entrée eating. This will slow down the hand to mouth eating process which will help you feel fuller faster.
Now you’ve arrived at Valentine’s Day feeling healthier than ever! Time to get glamorous and make you Valentine’s Day debut!
For the Ladies…
No false advertising please! Make sure you don something that is truly you whether that’s leather or lace. This is your visual merchandising. Flirt with fashion…just one item only! Something that shows of those guns or gams, your best ASSet. Red usually looks good on everyone and it being Valentine’s Day, red is the way to go. If you’d prefer white, soft neutrals, and pinks, those are great choices as well.
Accessorize with a story. A vintage bracelet you bought on that trip you took to Paris with a friend or your grandpa’s pocket watch, these are great conversation pieces when you find yourself in a what to say next moment. Whatever you do, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT, wear anything your ex gave you! Don’t even talk about your ex for that matter. They did not receive an invite and you’re with the new love so be in the moment!
Braids are flirty! Think creative and romantic, like Princess Jasmine (Aladdin) meets Boho. Pony’s are also delicious and darling for an enchanted evening. This is the day to try something new like a fresh new lip color! If you’ve never dared to do be bold, give yourself roses…red rose lips, or try purple it’s the hot ticket in 2015. Pink is always a pretty go to.
And for the Gents, here are some easy to follow tips to be his or her Prince Charming this Valentines…
PAWFECTION! Grimy grippers are just plain gross. Clean, white nails are attractive no matter what, especially at the dinner table! This tip will whiten and buff those pincers. Men, try adding this to your regimen when you cut your nails (hands AND feet!). Gently scrub them with toothpaste and a recycled, soft toothbrush or buffer. Gentle men, don’t overdue it. Do not use gel. Use paste! Now add a few drops of lemon juice and your clutches will come alive, instead of looking dead as door NAILS!
SCENTsational. Every lover loves to stick their nose in a field of awesome scents. Valentine’s Day just makes fragrances more appealing! This tip will leave them with an aroma that is all your own! Take at least 2, not more than 3, of your sniffer’s fave flavors and mix them! Fragrances tend to be broken down into categories such as; citrus, chypre (spice), floral or orientals just to name a few. Blending a few of your beloveds will have you “sui generis” instead of “so generic”.
Love your Tailor! A well-tailored suit is always a fan favorite on Valentine’s Day! Every girl (or guy) looks at how a suit flatters every inch of the body. Make sure that every piece of the suit flatters the chest, the arms, and the waist. If suits aren’t your beat, a nice sweater on top of a button down and jeans works as well. Layering always works! After all, It’s February the coldest month. a lightweight tight fitting Polypropylene, silk, polyester, Thermax, Thinsulate, or wool. Do not make the all to frequent faux pas of cotton because it traps moisture, it stays soggy, and actually draws heat from you. The second layer should lasso that warmth and keep it corralled. This material includes down, polyester, fleece, wool and new synthetic/natural blends. The outer shell protects and serves from any wet cold cons from breaking into your secure warm under cover. This material should be something water resistant like Gortex, leather, or any winter overcoat. And don’t forget those feet. Anyone who knows me will attest to my foot fashion, I love a great pair of fabulous, colorful wool blend socks.
