Shaping Up for Summer

Summer is here, with lots of sun, warm nights, and plenty of opportunities to break out that new swimsuit. But are you ready to break out that new body? Don't worry if the answer is no. It's never too late to get started on a new, healthier you. You may not be able to change your whole body in a month, but you can definitely make a significant move in the direction you want to go. So get up and get started!

Remember the best way to achieve a good body is to focus on good health. That means eating right, getting good sleep, and exercising. Try not to neglect any of these areas. You'll see the most success when your approach is well-rounded. Also remember to make changes that you can keep. Don't plan a crazy diet that you're only going to keep for a couple months. Focus on lifestyle changes that you can stick with and still be able to enjoy yourself. That's the best way to see great results that will keep you where you want to be.

Eat Right. Your great body begins with what you put inside it. Summer is a great time for fresh food, so take advantage of it. Build your diet around fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. You don't have to give up the things that you love. Start with a good foundation and eat indulgent foods in moderation. Avoid becoming a social eater. This can be especially difficult in the summer. You get home at 6 and eat dinner, then your friends call at 8 and invite you to go eat with them. So you end up eating again, even though you're really not hungry. Remember that you don't have to eat just because you go out. Just have water, or order some juice. Or if your friends are always going out late, try a light snack when you get home instead of a full dinner. That way you never have to feel like you're trading your diet for a social life.

Sleep. This can be hard sometimes with all those late summer nights, but make good sleep a priority. Sleep deprivation has been linked to weight gain and it's so much harder to get outside and enjoy yourself when you're feeling tired all the time.

Exercise. Exercise is a huge component in attaining your ideal body. And what better time than summer to get out and enjoy your exercise? You don't have to spend your time in the gym or running around the track. Have some fun! The weather is beautiful, so get up and go hiking, play volleyball, challenge your friends to some playground Olympics, whatever you like to do. The most important thing is to just get moving.

Also, don't forget the benefits of weight training. Building muscle will help increase your metabolism as well as tone your body. Again, this doesn't mean you have to spend hours lifting weights at the gym. But find ways to incorporate weight exercises into your daily activities. Try some push-ups and crunches when you wake up in the morning. Curl some water bottles while you sit at your friend's baseball game. Carry around a basket at the grocery store instead of pushing a cart. Little things can add up to make a big difference.

Remember to enjoy yourself. When your healthier habits are things that you can live with happily, you are much more likely to make them permanent. Don't obsess over the perfect body. Just find ways to become the healthiest you. You'll be happier because you'll feel better about yourself, and you'll still be able to maintain a healthy perspective on life.