Whether you just want to shed a couple kilos before you head to the beach over the summer or want to completely reinvent how you look, you

have to be diligent and stick to a well-de�ned workout routine.

Determine exactly how you’re going to get in shape, sit down and come up with an exercise plan, as well as the diet that you’re going to follow. By writing down your goals,

you’re more likely to reach them, especially when it comes to your diet. Most importantly, �gure out exactly how much weight you want to lose and at what date you

want to meet that goal. It’ll make you work harder and much more likely to actually stick with your diet and workout routine.

This is pretty much �tness 101. Whether you’re just going for a slow paced jog or plan on hitting the gym for an intense workout, make sure you drink plenty of water before

you exercise. You’ll also want to drink water regularly while you are running and working out to ensure your body stays properly hydrated. Everyone is different, so you don’t

necessarily need to follow the whole “eight glasses of water a day” saying, but it is very important you drink water consistently throughout the day,

especially if you’re running outside.

Most people quit their exercise routines or diets simply because they lack motivation. But if you have a workout buddy who can be there to ensure you follow your summer

�tness guide, you’ll be way more likely to continue working towards your summer goals. More importantly, it is way more fun working out with someone else!

Remember �tness tip #1? It is incredibly important for you to follow the initial goals that you set for yourself, but you should also keep a regular log in order to make sure you are working towards your goals. In order to get ready for summer, you’ll need to make sure

you are actually making progress.

Most people eat about three square meals a day, but when you’re dieting you’ll want to change that to about four to six small meals, depending on your schedule and workout

routine. It might take some getting used to at �rst, but it will ensure your metabolism is working at full speed, which means you’ll be burning more calories. And your

metabolism will already be working quicker because of your increased activity, so switching to smaller meals will only further increase your chances of getting

�t in time for summer!

Now that we basically live in a 24/7 digital age, people want results almost immediately. Whether you’re running 5K almost every day or are hitting the gym hard, it’s going to

take a while for your body to adjust to the changes you are making, whether in regards to the level of your personal activity or your diet. Remember, you just need to be patient

and believe in yourself, because as long as you work hard, stay focused, and have someone to help you stay committed to your summer �tness guide,you’ll easily be able

to meet your weight loss and �tness goals.

This needs to be taken in a literal and �gurative sense; if you’re feeling stressed about not meeting your goals, just take a deep breath, and re-evaluate your routine, diet, and

overall goals. More importantly, proper breathing while exercising is incredibly important, especially while running. It can help you run longer distances, which means you can burn more calories. Breathing properly in between workout sets can also help your

muscles recover faster, which means you’ll be able to increasethe length of your workouts!

While some people don’t enjoy working out or running, there are ways to make exercise fun. You can create a fun workout playlist on your iPod before you go for a run that can keep you inspired and motivated, but you can also do other things to make exercising

fun. If you don’t like running, go to the gym, don’t like the gym, get on a bike or pick up a tennis racket. You can �nd reasonably inexpensive �tness equipment on

www.tradingpost.com.au

One of the biggest reasons why people don’t stick to their summer �tness guide is because they simply get bored with the repetitive nature of their workouts. In order to avoid this, be sure to change it up every now and then. If you usually go to the gym to

run on a treadmill, try running outside. If you usually use workout machines to strengthen your muscles, try using free weights. There are plenty of changes you can

make to your workout routine so you don’t get bored.All you have to do is be a little creative!

There is nothing better than looking and feeling great!

*Always consult your doctor before embarking on any �tness or weight loss routine.

This guide is brought to you by