How to Lose Weight and Tone Your Body

So many women want to know the secret to getting those Jessica Biel abs or that Megan Fox body. While genetics does play a role in how you look, the good news is that with a proper diet and workout regimen, you can bring out the best body within you, no matter what your age.

Here are 5 tips to help you lose weight and tone up your body:

Try Interval Training. Experts say that interval training give at least the same, if not better results than long distance cardio. Instead of going for a long jog, try doing 8 sets of 30 second sprints with a minute of rest in between. This will burn calories, get your heart going, and raise your metabolism so you’ll burn fat even when you’re done with the workout. Not to mention sprints are shown to tone up the butt and thighs much better than long distance running. (That’s why sprinters look so much better than runners.) Not only will you save time, you’ll get better results.

Take a Class Like Power Yoga: Classes are a great way to get you motivated to work out. They provide a positive workout atmosphere and let you meet people in the same position as yourself trying to reach similar goals.

Try Isometric Exercises. Isometric exercises like planks are amazing for toning up the body. The more you contract a muscle, the more tone it looks. Try exercises like the plank to tone up your abdomen and give you that flat, toned stomach you’re going for.

Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition. It’s no secret that the most perfect workout plan in the world will not make up for a poor diet. Try to eat a balanced diet of whole wheat bread, fruits, vegetables, lean meat and some dairy products. If you’re on a weight loss diet, count your calories and take in 500 calories less than you take in to maintain your weight to lose 1 pound per week.

Don’t Get Discouraged. There are very few people who didn’t have a relapse when on a diet or working out. The important thing is even when you do binge eat at a wedding or miss a workout because your tired, that you don’t let it get to you. Just let it go and get right back into your diet and workout plan the next day, and you’ll eventually be able to let go every once in awhile without losing those hard-earned abs!

So what are you waiting for? Go out there and reach your fitness goals!

This post is by Rafi Bar-Lev, a former combat medic and founder of the popular community fitness site, Passionate Fitness. Check it out!