The days are getting longer. It’s getting warmer. No more jackets. Soon it will be beach season. Wait a minute, weren’t the holidays just last week? The answer is no. In fact, the holidays ended a few months ago. We are hurtling headlong into bikini weather. If you’re not feeling altogether ready, you’re not alone. Never fear, you’ve still got some time, but you need to make it count. Here are five tips to help get you into form in time for summer.

Cardio, cardio, cardio

The fastest and best way to lose weight and feel better about your shape is to increase the amount of cardiovascular exercise you get. Sign up for an aerobics class, a spinning class or even try kickboxing. No matter what you choose, be sure it meets these criteria: it has to get your heart rate up and keep it there for at least 30 minutes, it has to be enjoyable and it has to be do-able (meaning you need to be able to commit to doing it at least 3-4 times a week (5 would be better). Aerobic exercise will help bur excess calories and tone your muscles in the process – a must for anyone taking beach weather seriously.

Don’t diet; eat healthy

Too many times in an effort to get ready for the beach, we try to starve ourselves or commit to unreasonable diet goals. Like cramming for a test the night before, crash dieting can get you results in the short-term that are hard to keep over time. Instead of trying the latest fad diet, try cutting down on carbohydrates by one serving a day and increasing your protein intake by roughly the same amount – and reduce your overall caloric intake by 20 percent. This is not so drastic a change as to set you on a collision course for failure, but it is enough of a change to get your body moving toward your goal.

Work those triceps

Here’s an easy exercise to target the triceps region where excess fat can take up residence over the long cold winter. Stand in front of a sturdy chair or bench and place your palms down on the seat. Supporting your weight with your arms, extend your legs straight in front of you with your heels on the floor. Using your arms and being sure to keep your elbows in, lower your torso slowly toward the floor. When the backs of your arms are parallel to the floor, slowly straighten your arms and raise your torso back up again. Try for four sets of 10-20 repetitions each.

Doing the most for your derriere

To help firm and tone the buttocks, the wall squat s a great exercise to add to your workout routine. With your back against a wall for support and your feet about two feet out from the wall, slowly lower your torso until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Four sets; 10- 20 reps.

Abs count

Of course a bikini draws attention to the stomach area, so it is important to include an abdominal exercise in this discussion. A good movement to target the lower abdominals is called the reverse crunch. Basically, instead of raising your rib cage to meet your pelvis (as you would in a conventional crunch), this exercise raises your pelvis to meet your rib age. Start by laying flat on the floor with your hands under your buttocks for support. With your knees bent and your legs up off the ground, slowly bring your hips up off the floor and squeeze your abdominals together. Four sets; 20-30.

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