Starting with freshman year of high school, the idea of prom becomes increasingly important. What do you wear? How do you style your makeup? Who do you go with? Though each of these questions becomes a priority, the biggest concern often lies in how your body looks. It’s guaranteed you’ll be stunning, no matter what gown and accessories you choose, but it’s most important for you to feel that way. Whether you want to lose weight, tone up, or just make small changes towards a healthier lifestyle before your big night, try these fast, easy exercises and diet suggestions.
Prom Workouts
Tone up that tummy with some plank exercises! Form is everything when it comes to doing planks. Get yourself into a full pushup position, with your arms extended and your palms flat on the floor. Keeping your abs contracted and your head in line with your spine, hold this position for as long as you can. Overtime, as you build strength, try holding the position for longer periods of time before resting and repeating.
Get those glutes ready for the dance floor with a squat thrust and twist! Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms raised in front of you at shoulder height. Squat until your knees bend to a near-90-degree angle while twisting your torso to the left. Come up again and repeat while twisting to the right. Make sure your knees face forward as you twist to avoid a leg injury. This move will tone up your behind while also working your core muscles.
Bravely bare those arms in a strapless dress with triceps dips! – Place yourself in a reverse plank pose with your arms behind you on a bench or stable chair. Make sure your arms are shoulder width apart and keep a little bend at your elbows. Slowly bend your arms to lower your body until your elbows reach a 90-degree angle. Then raise yourself up to the starting position. This easy and fast toning exercise can be done anywhere, even on the floor, leaving you with no excuse not to do it!
Prom Eats
At Golden Asp, we frown upon the word “diet” when people want to lose weight. A diet shouldn’t be something you do just to lose weight. Technically, a diet is defined as the kinds of food a person habitually eats. You should be eating balanced meals of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains daily. Eating a healthy and balanced diet will not only keep you in tip top shape for the best night of your life, but also for the rest of your life.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That saying isn’t an old adage for nothing; eating breakfast gets your metabolism going and prevents you from getting those crazy hunger munchies for junk food throughout the day. A bowl of whole grain cereal or an egg and toast provide all the nourishment growing teens need to look their best. And don’t forget the orange juice! It provides one of your much need fruit servings for the day.
Serving size does matter! Did you know that most food portions at restaurants are enough for two people or more? Pay attention to serving sizes when eating so you don’t overeat. By observing proper portion control, you train yourself to know when you are full and stop yourself from eating too much. Prior to prom, when eating out with friends, split the large chicken Caesar wrap or the half pound burger and fries with a friend because chances are it’s more than enough food for you both. Another option is to save the other half for your lunch the next day.
Snack healthy. When stressing for exams, homework assignments or prom, it’s easy to grab a candy bar or potato chips. Snacks heavy in fats and carbohydrates make you feel sluggish and ruin your appetite for a good dinner. Instead, go for high fiber and protein snacks, which keep you feeling fuller longer. Yogurt, fruit, mixed nuts or whole grain crackers are excellent snacks to keep you full and focused. When grabbing a box of crackers, take out the amount you want to eat and then put away the box. That way you don’t end up doing some mindless snacking and eat an excessive amount.
Get some sleep. One of the most important tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is getting enough sleep. Getting a full night’s rest – a recommended 8 hours– will provide you with the energy you need for exercise each day. Sleep is also a time for your mind to clear itself and reset. A good nights’ rest prior to prom will prevent you from binging on unhealthy snacks so you can look and feel your best on the big day!
Start working on these exercises, keeping an eye on portion sizes, and getting enough sleep now so that you are sure to look and feel more confident at prom.