With the summer holidays rushing towards us, you have only just got time to get into shape so that you will look good in your swim wear. Owners of a gym membership can always start to go again but it is not worth taking out expensive membership now. Lets face it if you are not a member now you will only let it lapse until next year. There are other ways to get in shape that won't cost a fortune.



If you work in an office block, start to use the stairs instead of the lift but don't attempt to climb to the top straight away. Use the stairs to go down, then take the lift to the floor below and walk the rest. When you feel comfortable walking one floor, stop two floors early and so on, remembering to get to your office in good time to do this. Don't sabotage yourself by arriving too late to use the stairs.

Another strategy is when you are carrying your shopping, lift your arms out in front of you, hold then slowly drop them. Repeat this with your arms out to the side. It would be beneficial if you had roughly equal weight in each hand. You may get strange looks now but you will be getting admiring looks later.

Everybody does incredible work on their body but often overlooks their face, except for the rich who just run for the plastic surgeon, throw thousands of pounds at them and hide from the world until the scars and bruising has died down. For us normal people we have a way that is even better. Facial exercises, that's what. Not just any facial exercises, isometric, they are the ones that will really take the years off and really improve the facial muscle definition and skin tone to smooth out the wrinkles and any sagging skin. Most young people dismiss facial exercises as being just for old people but the smart ones are doing it because they know that they are going to keep those youthful looks far longer than their friends.

The sun is there all through the day, even when there are clouds in the sky and it is affecting your skin, drying, tanning and ageing. So when summer comes it is accelerating that process and you need to take care. If you are lying in the sun wear sun blocker on your face and neck and even on the back of your hands. These areas take sun all the time so you need to protect them. You can take the sun in the first and last hour of your tanning time, just to even up your tan. Sun is good for you, but it can also cause skin cancer so you have to be sensible in your tanning regime.

In summer time you will be wearing a lot of open toed shoes, sandals and flip-flops so you need to get your feet in shape. Those with plenty of money can afford a trip to the beauty salon for a professional pedicure. Those on a more limited budget can always do it at home whilst watching a good DVD.

Losing weight is a worry that many suddenly want to do. By now, it is a bit too late to achieve much and a crash diet may be positively harmful as you will be denying your body of the vital vitamins and minerals that it needs to counter the effects of the sun. Three or four weeks before your holiday, eat foods rich in beta carotene such as broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, romaine lettuce fresh thyme and cantaloupe melons. Vitamin C is also important, so eat more fruit rather than taking supplements as the increase in fibre will also be beneficial. What you can do is to cut out chocolate, crisps and other highly processed food. Drink more water rather than sugary colas and other drinks.

For more inspiration, put your old bikini on and check yourself in a mirror. You will probably want a new one, so while you are shopping, you could get some other summer clothes. You don't need to throw out everything but think of what you can use to brighten up last years wardrobe. Just get a new pair of shoes and a pair of sandals and you are ready for the beach.