Tips for Losing Weight Over the Summer

Sunny summer days are a perfect time to start an exercise regime, try out a new sport, or make sustainable alterations to your diet. The sunshine brings out extra energy in all of us and bright summer evenings provide a wealth of opportunities for getting out and getting active. The motivation to keep the perfect swimsuit figure all summer long is made easier by a plentiful supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Take advantage of the bright evenings and, instead of taking the car or bus, make a commitment to walk home from work at least once a week. Not only will it help get you fit and lose weight without even making and effort, but the exercise will help you unwind from the stresses of a day at the office.

Barbecues can be either great or disastrous for losing weight, depending on how you approach them. A variety of fresh salads can help make any barbecue healthier and salad can be used instead of sauces to add that extra oomph to a burger. Chicken and fish are better than highly processed sausage and meat products. Cheese should be used sparingly. Fat-laden nibbles and crisps can be substituted with fresh or dried fruit.

Fruit is fresher, more available and cheaper during the summer months.

Instead of creamy desserts, make a simple fresh fruit salad. Instead of cream opt for a low-fat or Greek-style yogurt.

Replacing high-energy sides such as chips with salads is a great way of cutting back on calories and losing weight, while still ensuring that you are consuming enough vitamins and minerals. Like fruit, salad vegetables are cheap and fresh during the summer. Add dried fruit, feta-cheese, nuts, beetroot or sugar snap peas to make a salad more interesting.

Do some gardening. Getting the lawn and beds under control can be a fun way to burn calories. Digging, mowing and weeding will help you lose weight and the results will provide a great deal of satisfaction.

Cycling is a great way to spend an afternoon with the kids and you'll burn a lot more calories than you realise. Pack a picnic and take the children cycling in the park or in the countryside.

Just because you want a nice tan doesn't mean you have to spend all day lying on the beach. Get involved in a game of Frisbee, rounders, football or volleyball. You don't need to be a sports superstar to enjoy a bit of exercise on the beach. It's a great way to meet new people and to get an all-round tan.

Take an active holiday at home or abroad. A week hiking in the Lake District, or a long weekend sightseeing in one of Europe's great cities could be just what you need to burn off those barbecue burgers.

Taking simple steps towards your exercise and diet goals and making small changes to your lifestyle is a much better way of keeping the weight off permanently than trying to do everything at once. Utilise the long sunny evenings to just get out and about and once you're out, calorie-burning activity will feel like fun, rather than a chore. Before you know it, the beach body you always dreamed of will be yours to keep.