Celebrate your body and enjoy all summer has to offer.  Small changes in your diet can lead to big results. 

Here are 8 tips that will keep you long and lean all summer.  Who knows maybe you’ll be ready for string bikini bottoms by August. 

Juice is an evil trickster.

100% fruit juice.  Great right?  Wrong.  Juice, soda, and flavored coffee contain hundreds of hidden calories.  Hydration is the word of the season not expansion.  Water is the calorie-free way to a smoking summer body, plus it’s a natural appetite suppressant.  Drink up.

It’s hot out there.

Hot temperatures can reduce your appetite.  So take advantage of it and eat light.  Eating small well rounded meals throughout the day can keep you from indulging in that second hot dog at the 4th of July picnic.  Save some calories for the margaritas! 

Play time

If the last time you played team sports you were looking forward to prom, you have been missing out on some seriously good times.  Look into community leagues and join with a friend.  You will meet some great people and you’ll be surprised how quickly you can get your softball swing back.  If gym in tenth grade was enough team sports for a lifetime try a more solitary out door work out.  Pack a healthy trail mix and try hiking.  Biking and rollerblading can also be a great way to get your body moving while enjoying the outdoors. 

Walk it out to work it off

Leave the car in the driveway and try walking.  Even walking for 15 mins can have a positive effect on your body.  Bring your ipod and enjoy your own personal soundtrack and you trek through the neighborhood.  Looking for great work out music?  Check out elements fitness radio.  (LINK)

Adios lawn guy

Ever wonder why your lawn guy is so buff?  It could be the physical exertion it takes to keep up with the Jones’s landscaping.  Mowing, raking, and planting are great exercises for muscles you didn’t even know you have.  Keep a brisk pace and your physique could start to look like Mrs. Jones. 

Sunrise and Sunset

There is nothing more beautiful than the sunrises and sunsets after the summer solstice.  Enjoy these Zen times of day by working them into your daily exercise.  You’ll be so focused on the colors of the sunset you’ll forget that you are exercising. 

Love the guy who created air conditioning

Keep your workout area as cool as possible.  Hot temperatures will hinder your performance as well as making you miserable, and can also be dangerous.

Long walks on the beach

No matter how cliché, you can’t beat a long walk on the beach.  Sand provides great resistance for beautifully sculpted legs.  Any beach activity from Frisbee throwing to competitive sand castle building will burn calories.  It’s been too long since the last time you built a sandcastle. 

Looking for more great ways to look toned by the pool? Check out our Fitness article Get Beach-Ready Now!