Richard Simmons has the secrets. Want 13 ways to get thin by summer? Well, it's time to go back to the master.
Who hasn't sweated to the oldies with Richard? I sweated so much (and so rambunctiously) once in my den in Chicago that I almost fell through a glass coffee table. Was I upset?
Who cares about antique furniture in the name of shaping up? I narrowly missed the old relic and lost three pounds that week. It was a win-win.
Our friends at "The Doctors" have fitness weapon Richard Simmons stopping by this Friday when he co-hosts the show and shares his best ways to drop the pounds and get thin for the warm weather months.
Richard always likes to share, which is why he gave StyleGoesStrong a few of his exclusive tips he will share with viewers later this week.
Richard Simmons Secrets to Get Thin By Summer:
Issue: If Gym Membership Isn't In Your Budget
Secret: Richard says to exercise at home using items you already have including:
*Tights or stockings. You can work your shoulders, biceps and upper back by using tights just like resistance bands.
*Paper Plate Push Up. The resistance from a flimsy little paper plate can really power up your workout. Richard says to put paper plates under your hands and do a push-up. Now, slide your hands closer together and do another push-up. Repeat.
A variation is you can place plates under your feet and do "mountain climbers" to work triceps and chest muscles.
Issue: You're eating veggies, but gaining weight. To wit: Fake a Butter Allergy. In other words, stop drowning your healthy veggies with too much butter and make sure restaurant chefs don't (behind your back) cook your food in butter.
Secret: Richard says that you need to get the butter out of your (taste) buds by skipping it. He says that if you're dining out and you're worried that the chef might not honor your request to remove butter then tell your server that you actually have an allergy to butter. It's a way to save yourself from unnecessary saturated fats. If the restaurant believes your health is on the line they probably won't slip up. It's OK to lie to your waitress, too.
Issue: You're Not Really That Accountable When It Comes to Your Food Diary.
Resolve: Text a buddy. Instead of writing down what foods you're eating on a piece of paper in your food diary (a great idea in the first place and necessary) instead start a "text accountability system." Text a friend what you eat each day. A friend is probably better than you when it comes to maintaining perspective on your diet. You're not going to want to text your friend that you just jumped into a deep dish pizza.
Issue: Don't Hate Your Treadmill. In fact, get off that track for summer.
Resolve. Instead challenge yourself to a water resistance course. Try a H20 boot camp, which incidentally can burn upwards of 600 calories an hour. The other good news for midlifers is that water exercise doesn't cause joint pain or any aches and pains. It can even be healing when it comes to stiff joints.
