It’s hard to believe it, but Memorial Day is just two months away. If you are not feeling your fittest, you still have time to shape up, one expert maintains. Erica Lynn is a fitness coach who specializes in helping women over 40 lose weight and get in shape so they can “reclaim confidence,” she says in her Instagram profile. In a new post, she reveals how to lose five pounds per month leading up to summer. “If you want to lose 10 pounds by Memorial Day. Things to start now,” she writes.
Walking
The first thing she recommends is walking. “You actually burn more calories with daily activity than you do with daily exercise! 10k+ steps is just a way to make sure you keep moving throughout the day,” she writes.
Diet
You also need to tackle your diet. “Figure out how many calories you’re currently eating to maintain your weight and then subtract 300-500 calories. Don’t want to track macros or calories? Then make some sacrifices to reach your goal and cut out liquid calories, sweet treats, and processed/junk food. Already eating clean? Reduce your portion sizes to create a deficit,” she writes.
Protein
Amp up your protein intake. “When you lose weight you lose muscle so to minimize muscle wasting make sure you’re eating approximately 1g per pound of goal body weight. Oh, and fiber isn’t the only thing that helps curb hunger.. protein will help keep you feeling full longer,” she says.
Strength Train
You should also add strength training workouts to your routine. “3-4 times per week of a program that progressively overloads your muscles is ideal. Muscle does NOT actually weigh more than fat (1 lb of muscle = 1 lb of fat) BUT it does BURN 🔥 MORE CALORIES. You have 6 weeks so aim to follow a 6-week progressive strength program,” she says.
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Balanced Plate
Her last tip is to balance your plate. “You don’t have to eliminate food groups like carbs. I would recommend pairing a lean source of protein with a complex carb at every meal & snack. Fruits & veggies are low calories so pile them on your plate to reduce hunger & soak up all the micronutrients they offer,” she says. “Keep it simple people!” And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.