How to Get a Perfect Summer Body

Did summer sneak up on you? If you spent the better part of your winter and spring months binging on decadent foods and you're ready to shed your winter coat, now is the time to start! With a little patience, motivation and a sound formula for success, you'll be on the high road to peak performance, better health and that prized beach-body physique that everyone seems to strive for during the warm spring and summer months.

Instructions

• 1

  Create a plan and stick to it. Designing a structured diet and workout regimen keeps things organized and is much easier to follow for the long term. Whether it's for greater confidence, better health or purely cosmetic, having an obtainable goal is the first step to ensuring success.

• 2

  Regard your diet as a "lifestyle change." Strive for good health year-round and make lasting changes that impact the future.

• 3

  Exercise at least two to three times per week with weights or body-weight exercises. Regular exercise has many benefits: increased strength and muscle tone, elevated energy levels, improved immune system function, reduced stress levels and much more.

• 4

  Move around more! Brisk walking is great for maintaining flexible joints and strong bones, and adds to more calories burned throughout the day.

• 5

  Eat whole foods that can be found in nature. Not only are they much more satiating, they also help you perform better. Protein sources such as chicken, fish and lean red meat are great for building muscle, while leafy green vegetables and assorted fruits are necessary for optimal health and immune-system support.

• 6

  Eliminate processed foods and grains from the diet (chips, cookies, crackers, breads, pastas, cereals, and other "empty calorie" foods). This cuts out extra calories, creating the ideal environment for continuous weight loss, improved well-being and greater energy levels.

• 7

  Drink more water. Water is naturally filling and can help curb the appetite. According to a 2009 study, "two cups of water prior to each of the three main daily meals may increase weight loss when combined with a hypocaloric diet."

• 8

  Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking moderately (two to three drinks per day) has reported health benefits, but excessive alcohol leads to an abundance of empty calories, weight gain and numerous other health problems.

• 9

  Have fun! Setting time aside for play benefits your health tremendously. It's great for reducing stress and adds to more calories burned too!