When you have a big event staring at you on the calendar, whether it's a blind date or a high school reunion, of course you want to look your sleekest as speedily as possible. Accept that invite without angst (or Spanx!), because there are proven ways to tone and trim up pronto that don't require killing yourself at the gym or subsisting on grapefruit.
My secret for looking and feeling toned and totally confident for a big night? I do short bursts of intervals by going to a Spin class or alternating fast and slow running. Switching between fast stints and slower recovery periods fires up your metabolism and helps you lose more fat. I can torch calories in less time, continue to eat normally and watch the weight drop off! Sound good?
Sneak in four fun, fat-burning interval workouts the week before a bash, and you'll easily slip into your L.B.D. come party time. Try these other stealth ways to fast-forward your fitness plan and tone up all over on the fly.
Nibble off your middle
Foods rich in potassium, such as bananas and kiwifruit, are the arch-enemies of bloat. They help your body flush out belly-blimping sodium, so reach for them often for a flatter stomach on the dance floor. I love freezing bananas to whip up a Citrus Smoothie.
Add sizzle to your strength sessions
Firm up fast with some heavy lifting. Try three supercharged strength sessions using a pair of 5- to 10-pound dumbbells in addition to your four cardio sessions. To squeeze the most calorie burn from every session, instead of taking a breather between sets, add a 1-minute, high-intensity cardio burst. Try jogging in place, jumping jacks or high knees to keep your heart rate revved.
Eat clean
By eating whole foods packed with the nutrients your body needs--rather than packaged foods (crisps, chips, puffs!) that are about as nutrient-rich as whipped air--you'll lose a few pounds while maintaining your energy. Bites to green-light? Lean protein such as organic chicken and salmon (it keeps your blood sugar steady and helps you stay fuller longer) and foods that are high in filling soluble fiber, such as oatmeal and beans. Also, aim to eat 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of veggies daily to reduce your calorie intake and shore up your immunity (there's nothing worse than a getting sick before a big day!). What to skip? Sugar. Whether white, brown or honey, the sweet stuff showers your diet with empty calories. Check out this slimming menu for a week of divinely delish light meals.
Try a short circuit
If you can only spare 20 minutes or so for the gym, seize the calorie-melting potential of every minute with a circuit workout. To speed your burn, switch between three minutes of cardio, such as jumping rope, high knees or stair-climbing, and a minute and a half of a strength move that works several parts of your body, such as squats with a triceps extension. You'll torch more calories both during your sweat session and afterward than you would if you'd idly ambled between weight machines.
Look your best in your dress using these wonder waist whittlers.
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