10 Ways to Get in Shape for Summer

1. To lose fat and get trim, try alternating exercise activities during the week. Sometimes I fall into the trap of doing the same exercise routine over and over. Of course, other times I go for weeks without doing any exercise other than sixteen-ounce curls. But anyway, the point is that Raphael recommends changing your exercise routine at least every 4-6 weeks.

2. We’re all busy people, but the longer days and extra sunlight should keep us extra motivated. Unless you make it a priority in your life, it is easy to feel like there just isn’t enough time to exercise. However, during daylight savings time, you should take some advice from that popular 60s song and "let the sunshine in." When you find yourself really pressed for time, Raphael suggests trying three 10-minute workouts spread through the day. Believe it or not, three 10-minute bursts of activity can be just as effective as one 30-minute exercise session.

3. Take yourself off the beaten path. As the poet said, sometimes taking the road less traveled can make all the difference. Yes, I realize that Robert Frost wasn’t referring to exercise, but his advice still applies. Now that spring is in full bloom, why not go to a state park and hike on the weekends? You can alternate this with the strength training and cardio you complete at the gym or home during the week. Hiking and climbing burns a lot of calories and actually helps to boost your metabolism.

4. People attain great success when they have a goal. As I mentioned, the eDiets Million Pound March provides a great opportunity to make yourself accountable for reaching your weight-loss goal. You might also want to sign up for a 5k walk or race in your local community. As you begin to train for the race and improve your eating habits, you’ll start to get leaner. "The objective is not to win the race, but to set a goal and exercise the discipline to complete it," Raphael says. "It will be almost impossible to not lose fat and get leaner."

5. The Weighting Game. If you really want a fit body for summer, Raphael recommends: (a) performing weight training two to three days per week for 30 brisk minutes, (b) doing cardiovascular exercise three to five days per week for 30 moderate minutes and (c) slightly reducing your intake of calories.

6. Give Those Extra Pounds the Boot. If you really want to lose weight, maybe you should try going to boot camp. No, we’re not asking you to enroll in the military… although that would certainly get you in shape, too. Many gyms and health clubs offer some sort of group "boot camp" classes. "The basis of the program is combining calisthenics, cardiovascular exercise and running obstacle courses to improve fitness and lose fat," Raphael says. "As the name implies, it’s run in military boot camp style but is a lot of fun. Just two days per week of this activity will strip fat from your body. You don’t have to be in shape to participate, and you’re encouraged to go at your own pace."

7. Don’t be afraid to try something new outdoors. Try a variety of outdoor recreational activities, and you’ll be more likely to burn fat while having a great time. If you are adventurous enough to give it a whirl, Raphael recommends purchasing a pair of roller blades. "It may take you a few weeks to feel comfortable, but I guarantee you’ll enjoy rollerblading in the sunshine and listening to great music on your head phones," Raphael says.
8. Motivation is one of the keys to creating a bathing suit-ready body. Believe it or not, Raphael says you should go ahead and purchase the bathing suit that you would like to be wearing by the start of summer. Yes, I know it won’t fit you now… but that is his whole point. "Make fitting into the suit a realistic goal and leave the suit somewhere in your kitchen so it’s always visible," Raphael says. "Let the future enticement of fitting perfectly into the suit be your motivation. This isn’t psychological mumbo jumbo -- this tip really works."

9. Spend a day at the park. No, we’re not talking about going to the ballpark, although that is also an important summer ritual. Raphael recommends finding a park near you with an exercise path. Such parks usually contain fitness stations that require you to complete push-ups, sit-ups and lunges. "Most of these courses only take 20 minutes to complete, but they can be repeated to extend exercise time."

10. One of the keys to getting a leaner body is stimulating the metabolism. In order to give your metabolism that special "get up and go," Raphael recommends exercising in the mornings. "When you work out in the morning, you decrease your appetite and burn calories all day long," Raphael says. "Try to power walk, jog or swim as a start to your day, and don’t forget to include strength training to further stimulate your fat-burning progress."