As Latinas we were taught to embrace our curves–and the last thing we'd want to do is lose them when we're trying to drop a few pounds. Sure, we want to look great for bikini season, but not if it means losing our figure in the process.
Lucky for you, we've found the secret to losing those pesky five pounds, but still keeping your sexy curves intact. Want to know how? Read on to find out!
Read more ¿Qué más?: 7 Ways to reward yourself for losing weight that don't involve food
When you look at Latina celebs with great bodies, you think of Jennifer Lopez, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria, and so forth. But the one thing they all have in common is: their shapely figures. Of course they stay in shape through a good exercise and eating regiment, but the one thing you notice is that they haven't lost their womanly shapes. And that's exactly what we're looking to achieve too.
Below we've come up with simple dieting and exercising strategies to shed that extra fat but maintain enough Vava voom curves!
Strength training: Contrary to popular belief, women who lift weights will not bulk up like a man. Instead, by participating in strength-training workouts three times a week, you can get a hot bod. Focus on lunges, squats, and strength exercises for the arms, back, and shoulders to create shapely and toned curves.
Eat protein: By eating protein, you maintain muscle mass during your weight loss plan. If you don't have enough protein in your diet and strength train, you can easily lose muscle mass–and also your curves. Remember: it's best to eat lean protein such as chicken breast, egg whites, beans, or peanut butter.
Keep fat in your diet: Losing weight doesn't mean you have to eliminate all fats. What is important is to eat good-for-you fats during this process such as essential fatty acids. These fats can come from nuts, fish (Omega-3's), seeds, and leafy vegetables.
Avoid oblique exercises: Those exercises that you do for your side ab muscles can actually cause you to broaden your stomach and develop masculine lines. Avoid these and stick to core exercises such as planks and lateral twists to maintain a feminine and curvy shape.
Throw out the scale: Maintaining your curves cannot be determined by your weight. Instead by looking in the mirror you can determine if you're maintaining your curves while on your weight loss journey. The other solution can be to take a weekly photo to track your progress if you have a hard time determining it through the mirror.
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