Personal trainer and author Bob Harper has shared several tips and advice on how to get that perfect summer body you've been wanting since forever. Harper, who hosts NBC's "The Biggest Loser," shared a combination of a healthy diet and fitness routines to attain a great physique.
Eat A Diet Of Whole Foods
Harper said highly processed foods and starchy carbs like sugar are big no-nos when you want to lose weight, Today.com reported. Healthy fat, however, is an exemption.
An example of healthy fat is avocados. It's also important for people who want to lose weight to consume vegetables and foods rich in protein such as meat, fish, cheese, tofu, yogurt, beans and eggs.
If you can't forego dessert during meals, SFGate recommends eating a healthy fruit salad with berries, melons and fresh coconut instead of a chocolate bar. For snacks, choose a handful of nuts and dried fruits, hard-boiled egg or a stick of beef jerky without additives and preservatives.
A Combination Of Workouts Is More Effective
Harper, 50, said he doesn't stick to a specific type of workout. He loves to mix-and-match his exercise routines so his body "can avoid any type of plateau," Today.com further reported. That includes sprints, hills and high-impact workouts.
Harper acknowledges the importance of exercising, but he also thinks that nutrition plays a bigger part in achieving a fit body. In an interview with Today.com in February, Harper said losing weight is 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent fitness.
A study from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine last year supports Harper's belief. According to the research, regular physical activity lowers the risk of heart disease and other ailments, but "does not promote weight loss." Basically, your grueling workout routine wouldn't work if you don't watch your calorie intake.
Getting Eight Hours Of Sleep Is Beneficial
Insufficient sleep is just as bad as eating fast food and avoiding exercise. According to Fitbie.com, getting enough shut-eye, or eight hours of sleep every night, gives you more energy to get through the day and helps your body burn more calories even if you're not undertaking a rigorous exercise routine.
Getting enough sleep also helps people stay away from late-night snacking and practice portion control better. Sufficient sleep also makes a person be a smarter supermarket shopper and stay away from foods laden with calories.
Take Your Exercise To The Next Level
Harper recommends challenging yourself with a more intense workout every week. Squats, for instance, can be taken to the next level by adding a jump once you reach the standing position.
