Hoping to squeeze back into your skinny jeans? We asked Jim White, registered dietitian, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and spokesman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, for his top slim-down tips.
Work out in the great outdoors. The weather is getting cooler, making late summer/early fall the perfect time to take your workout outside, says White. “Grab a friend and some weights and create a circuit in the backyard,” he suggests. Plus, racing season begins in the fall — consider signing up for one near you! For more outdoor workout inspiration, check out SELF’s 8 Outdoor Bench Moves.
It’s all about the schedule. “The key to fitting into those skinny jeans is schedule,” says White. “Adopting a routine will help in every facet of your weight-loss plan.” Put regular, healthy meals and workouts right into your weekly fall calendar, and you’ll be ahead of the game. SELF’s Diet Club is a great way for you and your friends to plan an 8-pound weight loss in just four weeks.
School or office-supply shopping? Pick up an extra notebook, and use it to record everything you eat. “You are less likely to snack if you know everything you eat must be written down!” says White.
Take advantage of the cornucopia of new fruits and vegetables the cooler months bring. “Explore the fare at your local farmers’ market,” says White. “By buying local, you’re supporting the community and cutting out some of the processed and fake foods from your diet!”
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Don’t drop your water habit just because the temperature is dropping. “Just because you aren’t sweating doesn’t mean you don’t need water,” says White. “Carry a water bottle with you wherever you go.”
Get back on a regular sleep schedule. “Sleep is often compromised in the summer with vacations and trips to the beach,” says White, adding that this is the time to set a regular schedule again. “Getting enough sleep is sometimes ignored in the weight-loss equation, but it’s a crucial element,” he says. “Exercise factors into this as well — if you exercise, you’re more likely to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly!”
