By Craig Lindberg

Bathing Suit Breakdown

“The Skinny” is a new Fitness column by Craig Lindberg, CPT and Founder/Co-owner of Optimal Performance Center in Shrewsbury. We got such a positive response to Craig’s answers to the questions you, our readers, had sent in for the February Fitness issue of Pulse that we’ve decided to stick with that format ~ so if you have a question about training, nutrition, bodybuilding, or anything else that falls under the topic of Fitness, please send it to ldean@pagioinc.com. Craig will answer one or two questions each month, so check here as soon as a new issue of Pulse hits the streets to see if he’s chosen yours!

To start us off, though, Craig has tackled one of the most anxiety-inducing topics of them all: The Bathing Suit.

OK. Like it or not, it must be discussed. As the weather gets warmer, I’d be willing to bet a hundred bucks (figuratively speaking) that within your first 5 thoughts, the words “bathing suit” rear their ugly head.

Every gossip magazine has the “secret” to losing those last 5-10 pounds or toning up those “problem areas.”

Here’s The Skinny: Most, if not all, of these headlines are quick fixes that, if followed precisely…will frustrate the hell out of you, causing you to burst into fits of hysterical crying, violence, or both.

That’s not to say that you won’t lose some weight if you adhere to their guidelines ~ however, losing those last 5 – 10 pounds is harder than losing the first 20 – 30. Here are a couple of simple guidelines that if followed precisely…will frustrate the hell out of you, BUT will also give you the results you’re after.

Toning: Toning muscles is a misnomer. In order to see the shape of your muscles, you must actually HAVE muscles, so there is a building of muscle that must occur as Step 1. Don’t be afraid to hit the weights as well as the treadmill. Weight training will help shape and better define the muscles you are looking to show off. The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn.

Cardio: Keeping your heart at an elevated rate for an extended amount of time will help burn the highest amount of calories. Keep in mind that you are looking for quality, not quantity; if you are on a treadmill for an hour or more, chances are you could be running a little bit faster and maximizing your workout time and fat burning capabilities. Your body will adapt to your training, so mix it up and keep the intensity high.

Diet: This is the most important aspect of looking good in that bathing suit. Truth be told, there is no magic pill or workout. The key is consistency. Keep your sugars low and protein high. Eat plenty of quality carbohydrates early in the day ~ rice, potato, and oatmeal. These carbs are essential to keeping you full and eliminating those cravings for the sugar you shouldn’t be eating.

Implementing all three of these fitness guidelines will help you achieve the beach body you’ve seen in those magazines ~ only you won’t need any Photoshopping. So put that gossip rag back and put the money you just saved towards an even hotter bathing suit that’ll show of all your hard work ~ and hard body.

Visit Craig at www.opcfitness.com.