Every year when summer season arrives, gym stations all over get flooded with new members who wish to achieve the perfect body; this is an attempt at making themselves look attractive in their favourite clothes and illuminating themselves with the confidence to show just a little more skin. People go nuts trying to find the right workouts and diet plans that promise to make them fit and fabulous in just a few weeks’ time. There is nothing really wrong in wanting to get in shape for summer, however, it’s essential to do so in a healthy way that encourages your overall wellness and doesn’t shove you towards unhealthy fad dieting or injury from excessively intense workouts. Follow our tips and tricks to get your body in perfect shape; of course, the healthy way. Eat Right Just because summer is here, it does not mean you have to go on a crazy crash diet. Firstly, make sure that your diet consists of lots of fruits and vegetables. You can eat any fruit and any vegetable you like! Secondly, you need to focus on eating the right amount of protein, fats, and good carbohydrates. Good carbs include foods like brown rice, oatmeal, potatoes, and whole wheat bread. Say “hello” to healthy food choices, and start with making small changes. As an example, instead of frying your food, you may grill or bake it. Instead of eating fries with your steak or burger, try eating grilled veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, and beans. Stay Hydrated The scorching summer sun will not be easy on your skin, so make sure you are prepared for it by staying hydrated, both externally and internally. Buy skin care products like skin serums, moisturisers, and night creams that will hydrate your skin, but make it your priority to drink at least 2 litres of water every day. It will not only help in maintaining your weight, it will also avert the tiredness caused by dehydration. Plus, the best thing about water is that it is calorie and sugar free, so drink it endlessly! Exercise Take advantage of the sunny days and do some workouts outside, so you can sweat and get your heart pumping. Working out regularly will help you achieve both physical and mental wellness. Make movement a part of your life, and exercise at least three to four days a week. Try out different types of workouts, and figure out what suits you the most. For instance, I hate doing cardio, so I switched to weight training. It is important for you to love what you are doing, so you can stick to it without wanting to quit. There is absolutely no need to hit the gym every day. However, it is important to workout consistently if you want to see any desired changes. Ditch your beloved fizzy drinks Say goodbye to those carbonated sodas, if you want to achieve the perfect summer body! The sugar content in these drinks is too high and may lower bone density as well. Instead, you may opt for iced teas like peppermint, chamomile, and iced coffee, as they will provide you with extra energy. Don’t beat yourself up Stop criticising your body, and stop looking at yourself in the mirror angrily. Stop obsessing over how great a model looks like or how you wish you looked differently. None of this is helpful, in fact, it is detrimental to your mental and physical health. If you beat yourself up over your imperfections, you will always remain unhappy with yourself. You must focus on becoming a better version of yourself, and learn to love yourself, no matter what. Published in Daily Times, May 10th 2018.