For those of us who live in places that get chilly -- or even downright freezing -- during the winter, summer is a lovely and much-anticipated change. Unfortunately with all the good -- barbeques, outdoor adventures, work lunches outside -- comes the bad --wearing a bathing suit after months of hiding under bulky sweaters. Right now the thought of wearing a bikini makes summer the most terrible time of year for many.

The good news is there's still plenty of time to shape up in time for the beach. A good balance of cardio (running is my personal favorite and here are a few great tips) and muscle training (I'm not a fan but feel it's a necessary evil so give these a try) should show some results fairly quickly if you stick to a good routine.

Keep in mind though that nearly everyone has hang-ups about their body and those who you think look perfect by the pool likely spent ages agonizing over whether their thighs look big. And they're probably sucking in their stomach too. I guess what I'm saying is that while toning up a bit before you go swimsuit shopping is never a bad idea, it is a bad idea to panic, go overboard, get worn out and end up frustrated. Go slow, appreciate whatever results you accomplish, and enjoy the added confidence that comes with knowing you worked hard and look, but more importantly, feel better about yourself for it.