Bikini Body Health Tips– 5 Healthy Habits to Help You Prepare for Summer

It’s that time of year again. The beginning of spring always brings new life and energy and a welcomed opportunity to reevaluate our habits and set goals to feel our absolute best for summer. I don’t know about you, but I definitely want to feel beautiful and confident in my bikini all summer long. While I try to maintain good health habits throughout the year, this is the season when I definitely step it up and make an effort to shed any extra pounds and unhealthy habits so that I can look and feel amazing when summer rolls around. If you have similar goals and want to look and feel your best this summer, keep reading to find out the top bikini-ready health tips I’m using to get my body right for beach-season!

1. Intermittent Fasting 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed that intermittent fasting is all the rage right now and is being recommended by many of the top nutritionists and wellness gurus. It’s not just another fad– it is backed by science and can truly work wonders to transform our bodies, improve our metabolic health, and give our digestion systems a much-needed break from too much snacking. Intermittent fasting simply means you don’t eat for a period of time each day or week. 

I don’t practice intermittent fasting all year, but it’s a habit I like to pick up when I want to improve my energy levels or slim down a bit. The beauty of intermittent fasting is that it’s low-commitment and can be adjusted or paused at any time. I am pretty in tune with my body so I have been able to experiment with what type of intermittent fasting works best for me. Right now, I’m making an effort to not have my first meal of the day until after 11 AM. If I’m hungry, I’ll eat right at 11 but if I’m feeling up to it, I will sometimes push my first meal until 2 PM. I try to have my last bite of the day before 8 PM. This means that I’m only eating for a 6-9 hour window and fasting for the remaining 15-18 hours of the day.

I have noticed improved and more consistent energy levels, reduced craving, and less snacking since I’ve started intermittent fasting. 

2.  Sauna & Cold Plunge

I recently joined a gym that has a dry sauna, a wet sauna, and a cold plunge, and let me tell you— it has taken my wellness routine to the NEXT LEVEL! After my workouts, I will head to either the dry or wet sauna, depending on my mood, and finish with a 5-6 minute cold plunge. (I have a goal of making it to 10 minutes in the cold plunge. Pray for me, LOL) 

Immersing yourself in extreme high and low temperatures is known as contrast therapy, and it boasts many benefits such as improved recovery, reduced inflammation, and happier moods. As a girly who used to be known for ALWAYS being cold and hated the feeling more than anything, the fact that I have been able to work up to 6 minutes in the cold plunge is a HUGE deal! I wouldn’t go so far as to say I like it now– the cold plunge is undeniably uncomfortable– but I absolutely love the rush of endorphins and my ability to focus so much better afterwards. 

Don’t have access to a cold plunge or a sauna? I was surprised to learn that they can both be surprisingly affordable! Here is a great at-home cold plunge option I found for you guys. For an affordable infrared sauna device, I recommend this infrared sauna blanket that you can use at home or easily pack up and bring on your travels. If you’re willing to splurge, you can purchase a full-blown infrared sauna for your house. 

3. Gua Sha and Red Light Therapy

The tried and true gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves scraping the skin with a stone tool. This gua sha is the tool and facial oil I use and it comes together in a set. It is super affordable and feels amazing against my skin. If you want just the gua sha by itself, here is another inexpensive yet high quality gua sha option. There are tons of tutorials on Youtube to help you get started. I love doing this in bed with red-light therapy as part of my nighttime routine. Ever since starting gua sha, I’ve noticed that my face looks more sculpted and defined and the practice itself is just so relaxing. It also gives me such a beautiful glow, and who doesn’t want that for summer?

4. Combining high-intensity and low-intensity workouts in my weekly split

I used to go to the gym 5 days a week and do intense cardio and heavy lifting every single time. I was literally working my a** off and the worst part was, I was not seeing my desired results whatsoever! Not only do our bodies need rest and recovery, but they also crave low-impact movement. I still move my body every single day, but I make it an effort to do at least two low-impact workouts a week. I alternate between pilates, hot yoga, and barre classes. Since incorporating these low-impact days, I feel significantly more toned and, for the first time in my life, I have visibility defined arms! 

It’s all about finding a workout routine that works for you. I remember learning in crossfit that routine is the enemy and the best way to avoid plateaus is to always be mixing it up and keeping ourselves on our toes! Since taking this advice, I am finally starting to reach my physique goals. 

5. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day 

Going to bed and waking up at roughly the same time each day is a HUGE health habit! Not only is it absolutely essential to get enough sleep (at least 7-9 hours each night), but maintaining a consistent sleep schedule is vital to our health as well. Of course, it’s all about balance, and it’s important not to get too neurotic about this. If I’m out late one night at a concert, for example, I don’t sweat it or feel guilty if I go to bed hours after my regular bedtime. After all, we still have to have fun sometimes! But for the most part, I fall asleep and wake up within the same 1-2 hour window each day and night, and it’s helped me become the most well-rested I’ve ever been. I used to feel exhausted every single afternoon and would deeply desire a nap, but since implementing this health habit, I no longer experience those crashes and my energy throughout the day is pretty stable. 

Takeaways 

Those five health habits are making me feel amazing both inside and out and giving me the extra boost I need to feel bikini ready this summer. I hope this list inspires you to take care of yourself and maybe add something new into your routine!  Be sure to check out my articles on 7 simple hacks for a healthier, happier you in 2024 and 7 ways to live a luxury lifestyle on any budget. I am always listening to my body and changing things up as needed, so stay tuned and follow me on Instagram @JetSetJeni for other habits I use to take care of myself. Thank you all for reading and let me know in the comments your favorite tips and tricks to get your body ready for summer!