Beach Body Yoga: It’s Not What You Think

At gyms everywhere this time of year, the countdown to Memorial Day has begun.

There are just four weeks left before the official start of summer, but just one week to perfect those abs and drop a couple more pounds with a quick crash diet to look great down the Shore, right?

Wrong. Oh, so wrong.

The mad rush to weight loss and bikini-ready bodies is paved with unhealthy habits—both physical and mental. You tell yourself you will look great when you drop two more pounds. Then you vow to never eat carbs again, only to house a loaf of bread when you are out to dinner. Then you feel terrible. You think you look terrible and the cycle starts again.

I have definitely been a victim of the beach body trap.

The worst I ever felt: The summer in college when I nearly starved myself for a month on some ridiculous crash diet, religiously did 100 sit-ups three times a day, and still managed to slouch and hide at the beach. 

The best I ever felt at the beach: I weighed 40 pounds more than I do now. I walked every day with my kids. I practiced yoga when I had time. I was eating great because I was breastfeeding. I had just had my second baby a few months before Memorial Day and I gladly rocked a bikini.

Your yoga beach body is all in your head and your heart. Here are my three simple and oh-so-healthy steps to getting yourself a fabulous beach body ready to enjoy for your entire life. No countdowns required.

1. Remember why you exercise and why you choose to eat healthy. You do this because you want to be healthy and live a long, productive life.  You do this because you love yourself. So love yourself. Put your focus on the action, not the outcome. Ditch the scale. Ignore the voices in your head.

2. Have fun. Go for a walk. Run around with your kids. Take a Zumba class. Do yoga. Enjoy whatever physical activity you choose. Make it enjoyable and a part of your everyday life. All you have to do is show up and your legs will do the rest.

3. Love your food. Forget fast food, junk food and frozen food. Grab fresh fruit and vegetables. Skip potato chips for a bowl of fresh strawberries. Forget the cheeseburger and enjoy some grilled chicken and vegetables. Eat what you love, when you want.

And the golden rule: You are already beautiful, just as you are in this moment.