So, winter's over, spring is here, and that means that you'll be spending more time outdoors - including getting into shape for modeling shoots. What do you do?
There are always several factors contributing to proper fitness routines - weather, clothing, location, work, and eating & drinking happen to be only a few of them. Therefore, it's only appropriate that you take proper measures to know where, when and how to exercise.
That goes for every season, and spring is no exception. People who go into modeling or acting usually work out during the spring in order to get fit for activities taking place in the summer or autumn, so naturally, as a model or actor you have to take full advantage of what's out there, when to work out and how to do it the right way.
The following is a 10-Step procedure for every model to follow when getting into shape properly in the spring. I have used and continue to use this procedure, and it never fails to do wonders for me, so it's bound to give you the same benefits.
1) Always check the weather early enough to know what the situation is regarding sky conditions and temperature if you're planning to take a power walk or jog. If it's raining, just wait until it passes, no matter how long it takes. If the skies are clear or still partly/mostly cloudy, check to see how warm or cool it really is - that always factors into your clothing. If it's warm, a simple T-shirt and shorts will do. If its cool, wear thin pants and a hood over your T-shirt. Wear short socks always.
2) In any case that you go outside, never wear anything too heavy, and always wear a bandana on your forehead to collect the sweat, sunglasses, and/or a cap to help keep the sun or bright glare out of your eyes. If you must, wear a pair of 5 lb. wrist weights to help build upper strength in your arms during walks or jogs, and always loosely tighten your abdominal muscles. This also applies to biking - in which case, you also can't bring anything that will weigh your bike down.
3) In any event that you walk, jog, or bike, don't go too far unless you're absolutely capable of walking, running or biking without passing out of breath. Choose a short distance to begin with, and add a small bit to that distance every day. Also do it every other day, to give the muscles a chance to relax, and so that you can build other muscles using other exercises, most which may be indoors.
4) In any event that you're forced to do workouts indoors, do walking or running in place with wrist weights. If you're weight-lifting, do a small number of repitions slowly (3 -5 is a good set to start with), and add 1 or 2 more repitions to it if you can manage. The same applies to yoga, push-ups, sit-ups, crunches, martial arts/self-defense practice, and other aerobics.
5) If you don't feel like you can do any of the above and need to take a break, just take a break. If, however, you feel like you can exercise both indoors and outdoors but don't want to strain yourself, just stand up straight with your arms and legs outstretched, tighten all your muscles (including your abs), hold for a count of 3-5 (increasing the number every time), and slowly release. Don't hold your breath, just inhale and exhale deeply - breathing is not the same as keeping your muscles tightly packed.
6) When eating, make sure you keep your level of proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, fats, and other nutrients neatly balanced. Try to avoid the temptation to eat so many high-calory or empty-calory foods - if you want, just eat only one or two of this sort per week. If you're going to eat while taking a walk or hike, carry a small portion of high-calory food (like trail mix) with water.
7) When drinking, don't drink too many sodas or energy drinks - drink only one or two of those every 1 to 2 weeks. Drink water, nutritional juice or skim milk products shortly before and after you exercise. In cases where you need to drink during exercise routines, bring only water, and stop to catch your breath before drinking. (Make sure you only gulp small amounts, and swish it around your mouth before gulping it down.)
8) Look for places like open city streets, hiking trails, neighborhood sidewalks and other paths that you're familiar with when walking, running, biking or jogging. For swimming, go to a pool at health/fitness centers and spend 15-20 min. there, or in the event you go to a public pool, restrict your lap sessions to 3 - 5 laps per day. For the gym, alternate regularly between different machines, with 3-5 repitions per machine and starting with the lowest amount you can lift.
9) Always shower before and after you exercise, and wash your hands regularly or put on hand sanitizer. Fitness is also about keeping good hygiene.
10) Make sure you get enough sleep in your schedule, with a minimum of 7.5 hours. Sleep is exercise, too.
Well, there you have it - do you think you can memorize all the steps? If not, simply cut this out and keep it where you can see it. If you can, start composing a fitness schedule based on what you have read and whatever is going on in your life.
Now let's get started!
