As spring comes around and the weather starts to improve, the realization hits that last year’s swimsuits might not look as good this year as they did back then. Well, I’m here to tell you that even if at first sight you think there’s no way… There’s always a way! With this list we’ve compiled of fast-acting steps to save your summer bod, you can get back in shape in no time.

  1. Get rid of the sweets. Those desserts are so delicious, I understand. But if you can successfully go a whole month without eating dessert, I promise you the cravings will be gone. I, personally, used to do no-sweets diets on and off throughout college. Whenever I was feeling a little heavy I would decide to stop eating the cupcakes and candy. I saw, and more importantly felt, the results right away. If summer rolls around and you’re happy with what you see, then start up the sweets again. Summer treats are hard to resist, so resist the spring ones instead.
  2. Don’t only focus on cardio. I know it seems like in order to lose weight, the best thing that you can do for your body is to run long distance. You’re wrong. Workouts like this stagnate the metabolic rate, limiting the effectiveness. Mix in some interval training (running, jogging, sprinting in set intervals) and strength training. Yes, the weights seem intimidating but you’ll thank me later. Outdoor runs in the summer time are also great. The sweat helps to rid your body of the toxins.
  3. Don’t cut out carbs completely, but limit them where they can be limited. Carbs are everywhere, and they’re delicious. But if you can eat a plain chicken breast instead of a chicken sandwich, then do it! Little changes like this aren’t hard to do but they make a world of difference. A difference that you’ll be able to see poolside this summer.
  4. Start shaping your body – do a higher amount of reps with a lower amount of weight. This makes you stronger and helps build muscle endurance while shaping your body in the process.
  5. Don’t eat during the two hours before you go to bed. If you sleep with a full stomach, your body has no chance to burn that off, leaving you with these excess calories that aren’t contributing to anything other than making you look worse. I understand that bedtime snacks are the best. If you must, have something healthy! I suggest carrots/celery with peanut butter or fruit – low in calories, high in nutritional value.

The fact of the matter is that you’re going to eat and do whatever you want to eat and do, especially during summer. We’re just here to tell you that if you want a good looking body more than you want that cupcake, here’s how to do it. Good luck!