Getting in Shape for Spring: Eat 'Springtime' Foods, Revise Your Workout, Reduce Stress & More

With the winter months behind us, it's time to make sure that we're looking our best for the spring, so we can wear all the great fashions that the season has to offer. If you've been a little 'relaxed' when it comes to exercising (especially in the winter) these tips will help you to get [back] in shape and feeling great in no time at all.

Eat 'springtime' foods.

Fresh fruits and vegetables look much more inviting in the spring, and some of the produce that you may have been unable to find in the fall and winter months will be in grocery stores. And, since spring is all about color, you'll be much more motivated to eat fruits and veggies with attractive and inviting colors. One way to make sure you're getting your share of spring foods is to put as much color in each meal as you can. For breakfast, try oatmeal with two of your favorite fruits, or granola with gold raisins and dried fruit. For lunch and dinner, you can create light, healthy pasta dishes with pesto, red, green, and yellow peppers, broccoli, or tomatoes. Springtime desserts, such as fruit tarts with whipped cream, or baked desserts with light flours, such as rice flour or almond flour for desserts that are not too hard on the digestive system. The more appealing your food looks, the more likely you are to indulge in healthy cuisines throughout the spring season.

Revise your workout.

If you've been working out in the gym during the colder months, you may want to change up your workout by doing your cardiovascular exercises outside. The warm weather will give you more motivation to say active every day, and you'll also be getting your daily dose of vitamin D from the sun. You may also want to do more running and jogging in your workout, since people tend to gain weight in the winter months, and the cardio activity with help you to drop pounds quicker; running and jogging will also help your muscles to develop quicker, since oxygen will be circulating through your body quicker. More exercise will give you more energy to participate in spring activity (i.e. picnics, vacations), and you'll great in your spring clothes.

Try a different look for spring.

Now that you've revised your diet and have started working out more, you'll want your new spring look to show off the new body you've worked so hard for. Bold colors, as well as form-fitting pieces are just what you need in order to look your best this season. You could also try free-flowing pieces with fitted ones, such as skinny jeans with a flowing top. Spring fashion will also boost your mood, and give you the confidence you need for a day at work or school.

Reduce stress.

One of the greatest things you can do to reduce your stress, especially in the spring, is to take advantage of the warm weather. You can spend time outside reading or taking a walk after dinner, and you can even do yoga or meditative activities outside after a long day at work. When your mind is clear, you will be able to take care of other aspects of your health much more efficiently.