30 Ways to Get in Swimsuit Shape

I love all the new swimsuit styles and colors that are out this season, and can’t wait for the warm weather so that I can put one on.  However, I haven’t lost all my winter hibernation excess pounds, so April is the month to get into swimsuit shape.

It really is the little things that we do that can add up to make a big difference.  I know that I’m not going to be able to do anything drastic this month, but I also know that some behavior modification is in order.

Why don’t you come along as well?

Here are 30 relatively easy things you can do to get into shape.

1. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
2. Walk or bicycle to work.
3. When you park, make it a block or two away from where you have to be.
4. Eliminate all soda, including the diet stuff.  Maybe that should be ESPECIALLY the diet stuff.
5. Cut back on the coffee and other caffeinated beverages.  (This is going to be hard; I LOVE my morning coffee.)
6. Do 20 crunches morning and night.  And when that seems too easy, go for 30.
7. Drink more water.  (I already drink a ton, but more is always better.)
8. Weigh yourself twice a week and keep track.
9. Find creative things to do with vegetables and eat more of them.  (I LOVE vegetables, and am perfectly happy eating them steamed with some herbs, but a little variety never hurt anyone.)
10. Limit alcohol to no more than one per day, and cut it out altogether if you can.  (Will limit mine to wine with dinner on the weekends.)
11. Do stretching exercises every day.
12. Make a least two days per week vegetarian day.
13. Walk more. (Now that the weather is getting nicer, this should be much easier.)
14. Give up the vanilla lattes – or limit them to no more than one a week.
15. Keep a food journal.  (Knowing what you eat is an important step to modifying your diet.)
16. Take vitamins.
17. Mow the lawn and do gardening; the yard will look great and you can tone up, too.  (With my allergies, this one may be a little tough.)
18. Eat breakfast, even if it’s only something light.  (I’ve never been a breakfast eater, I can’t stand to look at food in the morning, so this one is going to require something creative.)
19. Stop buying takeout for lunch or dinner.
20. Don’t buy chips (or whatever your weakness is).
21. Eat popcorn without butter.
22. Take a bike ride.
23. Get better sleep so that you’re not so fatigued.
24. Take a yoga class (good for strengthening your core and for relaxation).
25. Take time eating dinner and enjoy the meal instead of rushing through.
26. Dance.  Around the house, in a club, just for fun.
27. Take a healthy lunch to work instead of eating out.  Save calories and money, too
28. Do something that you enjoyed as a kid – skating, hula hoop, jump rope, badminton, etc.
29. Splurge on a day or week at a spa.
30. Stop using blogging as an excuse and get exercising!

Do you have any simple ideas to add to the list?

Photo credit: SXC