Sweat, Snacks & Sleep: Tips on Shaping Up for Summer

While April showers (or snow?) bring May flowers, they also bring swimsuit season. This typically dreaded time of year can be made simple and fun with these easy tips.

Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. While you burn calories, you also enable yourself to feel more alert and energized. Decide what type of exercise works best for your schedule, as well as your wallet. Going for a run on may be free, but sometimes we all need a little extra push to keep us motivated. 

One relatively inexpensive way to get one-on-one training time with a certified instructor is taking classes with fitness professional Chris Mitchell. Personal training is $30 a session, but bring a friend for a rate of $15 a session (per person). A great workout is guaranteed either way. She can be reached at 724-825-1464. 

If training alone, but with provided equipment, is more of your thing, there’s good news: there are more than eight amazing gyms throughout , and gym rates tend to drop lower in June—when business tends to be slow due to nice weather. With all of the great ways to get fit, there’s no excuse to be lazy!

Instead of start-and-stop dieting, try changing small parts of your daily meals to make them more healthy. If you are craving sugar, try replacing sweets with fresh fruit, and when choosing salads, aim for darker greens, which contain more nutrients.

It’s also a great idea to substitute whole grain carbohydrates for their unhealthy counterparts, such as white bread and white rice. Don’t forget to drink 64 ounces of water a day to stay hydrated and feel full. Eating five small meals throughout the day keeps you much more satisfied than three large meals that are spread out.

Lastly, make sure you are getting enough sleep each night. Teens typically need between 8.5 to 10 hours of sleep per 24 hours, and adults—ages 18 and over—need between 7.5 and 9 hours. Try going to bed earlier instead of sleeping late through the mornings on weekends.  Getting enough sleep can help you feel less sluggish and more alert throughout the day.

Using these tips can help you tone up, slim down and feel great about the upcoming swimsuit season.