© COPYRIGHT MCKEITH RESEARCH LTD 2009

GILLIAN McKEITH'S 8 Steps to a Fab Beach Body


Dear [name],

Hopefully at some point this summer you will have a chance to enjoy the feeling of warm sand between your toes, the sound of sea gulls over head and the gentle rolling of waves against the shore. There is nothing better than being at the beach on a warm, sunny day.

To truly enjoy it, you need to feel confident in your bathing costume. For many people this means reducing the bloat around their midriff and improving their skin tone and texture.

Here are some tips for improving your body, so you can look your best on the beach:

1. Eat fruit on an empty stomach. If fruit is eaten with or after other foods, it can ferment meaning gas is formed. This can lead to bloating.


2. Avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates and alcohol. These can all lead to fermentation and bloating as well as providing empty calories.


3. Use herbs and spices instead of salt. Salt causes water retention that can lead to bloating. Herbs and spices such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, celery seeds, mint, fennel and parsley may all improve digestion. Chamomile, fennel, ginger and peppermint are all useful digestive teas.


4. Chew each mouthful thoroughly before swallowing.


5. Exercise daily. Exercise is vital for getting the blood flowing to the digestive organs and skin.


6. Supplement with probiotics to repopulate the gut with good bacteria and digestive enzymes to aid digestion.


7. Practice dry skin brushing followed by hot and cold showers. These are both great ways to improve lymphatic drainage and skin health. See below for the technique.


8. Stand up straight - this immediately improves your physique and flattens the stomach, AND TELL YOURSELF 'I LOOK GREAT' because you are!

Dry Skin Brushing Use a natural bristle brush on dry skin before you shower. Brush from the feet and up the legs using firm strokes. Brush the abdomen in a clockwise direction from the lower right side up and round to the lower left side. Brush up the back, down the neck. Brush the arms from the fingertips to the armpits.

Hot and Cold Showers Have a warm shower as usual. Switch the water to cold and direct the water to your feet initially before working up the body. You only need to be under cold water for 15-30 seconds. Switch back to warm water and let the body warm through. Switch back to cold for a few more seconds. You can repeat this up to 3 times but even just once is beneficial.