10 Summer shape-up tips

June 9, 7:18 PMLas Vegas Fitness ExaminerGina Traficant

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Getting into summer shape is all about combining exercise, eating healthy, and motivation. Fitness centers are visibly packed with cars as the weather gets warmer and fitness instructors are inundated with questions such as: How can I lose weight fast? What are the best exercises to get rid of my stomach? What foods can I eat so I don’t have to exercise but still lose weight? They’ve heard it all. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill. Whether you are trying to drop a few pounds or even a full clothes size to feel your best for that big vacation, family get together, or high school reunion here are a few ideas to put the fun back into your fitness routine and get back into summer shape:

1) Sign up for a summer league such as soccer or volleyball.
2) Try new healthy recipes.
3) Find a workout buddy. (No chitchatting during the workout but a nonfat chi tea afterward is absolutely necessary).
4) Purchase new summer workout clothes to motivate you to go to the gym. Even a new comfortable pair of athletic shoes can make all the difference when walking, running, or kick-boxing.
5) Sign up for dance class. Remember how much fun you had when you hit the dance floor years ago? Well now’s your opportunity to practice those old moves before your high school reunion.
6) Always eat breakfast. If you’re short on time: Try a banana with 2 TBS peanut butter and a glass of lowfat chocolate milk.
7) Inline Skate (Skate hardcore for the first 20 minutes then you can back off the pace and skate more leisurely for the rest of the hour).
8) Make a new compilation of your favorite music to listen to while working out. Itunes now has access to older music they previously didn’t contain so it’s worth checking out.
9) Add a fitness book to your reading material while on summer vacation. A few suggestions: Sugar Blues by William Dufty (easy reading to discourage anyone from consuming too many sweets),
Best Life Diet by Bob Greene (written by Oprah’s trainer - he does a great job of analyzing “why” individuals overeat), and Body for Life by Bill Phillips (this for the most serious of exercisers but it can motivate just about anyone).
10) Receive at least eight hours of sleep.