How to Slim Down on a Schedule

Check out these eight tips on getting your body ready for the beach—and that itsy-bitsy bikini.


SET YOUR GOAL. Determine the important factors, like how much weight you want to lose and how much time you have got before you have to climb into that swimsuit. Then set a realistic goal.


DRAFT YOUR FITNESS PLAN. Confused with all the terms? Cardio is for losing weight, while toning firms up the muscles to give it that lean appearance. Want both? Then combine them—for example, you can do cardio three times a week and then do toning in between. You'll also want to find out what level of intensity works best for you since some people doze off during a low-impact routine, while some people can't keep up with a high-impact exercise.


TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TECHNOLOGY. Did you know you can download fitness programs from iTunes and it won't cost you a single cent? There are hundreds of podcasts dedicated to fitness and working out.


ENJOY THE OUTDOORS! Hate exercising? Then head outside! If you're not a fan of competitive sports, then try the conventional morning jog or brisk walking. You can even check your progress by downloading a pedometer onto your music player.


SOMETHING TO CHEW ON. Forget those sugary or fat-laden snacks.


THE MAIN DISH. Just because you're trying to get into shape doesn't mean you have to swap protein shakes for your daily meals. Low calorie meals don't have to taste like sawdust! You can also add meat to your salads, such as grilled chicken or fish, for a complete meal.


CHEATING ALLOWED. Set some "cheat days" and allow yourself to stray from your fitness regimen. Try not to binge on your cheat days—after all, you're only fooling yourself if you do.


DESPERATE MEASURES. When you think Mother Nature has blessed (or cursed) you with sluggish metabolism, then give it a little nudge. FDA-approved supplements like green tea capsules or concentrated L-carnitine syrup will help you burn more fat. But just remember that supplements only help you burn more fat and are not supposed to be considered substitutes for exercise.


Just stick to your plan, and in a week or two, you should start to see results. Use that to encourage yourself to reach your fitness goals.