Easy Ways to Shape Up for Summer

With summer just around the corner, everyone is in a tizzy to have the best beach body of the season. Don't worry. It doesn't have to be hard to lose those few extra pounds you put on this winter. Incorporating a couple of the following tips into your everyday life can make losing weight a breeze and get your body into the shape.

1. Take the stairs - Many of us are stuck in an office working 9-5 jobs and don't have a lot of time to exercise. One simple way to get in that much needed physical activity is to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walking up the stairs can be a little daunting if you're on the 15^th floor, but just remember to take it one floor at a time. When you start off, walk up a couple flights of stairs and catch the elevator the rest of the way. Once you get used to this, increase the number of floors you walk and decrease the number of floors you ride. Soon enough you'll be skipping up 15 floors without even breaking a sweat.

2. Cut back on coffee - Although many people rely on this caffeine pick-me-up to get them through the day, they do not realize that many coffee drinks are loaded with sugar. This equates to a lot of empty, liquid calories. According to the Starbucks® website, a grande Starbucks® Mocha Frappuccino® Blended Coffee with whipped cream contains 420 calories and 150 fat calories and a grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte with whole milk and whipped cream contains 440 calories and 200 fat calories. Reducing the number of added calories in your diet can help you lose a few pounds without too much effort.

3. Healthy snacking - No one said you had to cut out snacks altogether to get the trim body you want. Replace unhealthy snacks, like chips and cookies, with better options, like fruits and vegetables. You will still fulfill your urge to munch, but you'll feed it snacks that are good for you. Sweet fruits like peaches and plums may be a great alternative to chocolaty delights. However, don't feel as though you need to restrict yourself entirely. If you're celebrating a coworker's birthday, let yourself indulge in a small piece of birthday cake. This will reduce your cravings and hopefully thwart any feelings of binging.

4. Alternative exercises - If hitting the gym doesn't sound appealing to you, don't be afraid to try different things. One easy way to get in your workout is to learn a new sport. Martial arts, surfing or golf can be great ways get in some physical activity without being in a gym-like setting. Another easy fix for those avoiding the gym is to take up a new hobby like ballroom, hula or belly dancing. New hobbies can introduce you to new people and make learning and exercising so much fun.

5. Doggie bags - Most restaurants serve gigantic portions, which is why we love them so much. But, it is hard to keep this in mind when you are sitting before your favorite dish. To avoid overeating, ask for a doggie bag with your meal. Box up half of your meal before even tasting a single bite. This will prevent you from gobbling up the entire dish, which could sometimes equate to three full servings. Remember, moderation's the key. Besides, this just means you get to enjoy your favorite dish a second or a third time at home.

Using a few of these simple tips can help you drop a few unwanted pounds by bathing suit season. They are slight adjustments to your life that won't impact it in such a major way that you feel as though you really are on a "diet." They are quick, easy solutions to help you get the body you want.