That's Fit

Summer is a time for outside grilling, barbecues and summer cocktails, which usually means you'll be consuming a lot more calories. You'll be shocked by the amount of calories in some of our favorite summertime foods -- like corn. Try boiling your corn as opposed to grilling it, this will save you about 10 grams of fat and 30 to 100 calories per ear.

If you enjoy slathering your corn in a little butter, don't worry about the added calories because summer is also a great time to get outside, enjoy the weather and get active. You can burn off 60 calories in one cob with a fun 15-minute walk. The best summer workouts are those that allow you to strike the best balance between calories in and calories out.

What do you guys do to burn off those extra summer calories?

There isn't enough said about how important it is to plan ahead when starting a weight loss program. Setting goals, creating a meal plan, and preparing for setbacks are three ways to set yourself up for success. But that work doesn't stop when your diet starts. Creating a positive environment for yourself during your weight loss will ensure that you get the support you need to meet your healthy lifestyle goals.

Over at America Takes it Off, AOL has five tips for meeting your weight loss goals. Believing in your ability to succeed, gathering your family and friends for support, and rewarding your hard work will help you stay motivated when the really hard work begins.

That's Fit is here to support you in your efforts as well. It's not too late to join the Summer Quick Fix Challenge and get yourself in shape by summer!

Losing weight comes down to one basic principle: You need to burn more calories than you consume. And we all know that some of our calorie burn comes from exercising, but did you know that the majority happens away from the gym, when you're sitting at your desk, reading a book, even sleeping? That's your metabolism at work.

Now, metabolism gets a bit of a bad rap -- We usually blame it for the gradual increase of the numbers on the scale. You know, the 'I'm gaining weight because my metabolism has slowed down' excuse. But I've got news for you: You can change your metabolism. In your favour. Yes, you can increase the amount of calories you burn doing everyday things, and it's not that difficult.

Our Friends at AOL Body recently talked about the High Metabolism Diet, which involves adopting habits that can increase your calorie burn. These are easy things, like drinking coffee or tea, snacking throughout the day and so on. So here's my challenge to you this week:

Let's face it: Losing weight (healthfully) is a long process. It's normal to expect to lose around 2 lbs a week, and if you have, say, 20 lbs to work off, you're looking at 10 weeks, if you stick to it diligently. But when we have an event coming up, be it a wedding, a high school reunion or just a day at the beach with your family, slow weight loss doesn't help; We need a quick fix.

One of my favourite tips for slimming down quickly is this one from Jillian Michaels on AOL Body: Drop some water weight with a natural diuretic. It might not seem like much, but trust me -- that little black dress will fit better. Another tip? Sit up straight -- it will instantly take 10 lbs off your frame.

We've all been there -- now take the challenge:

There are a few diet truths out there: Fruit and veggies are good, excessive fat and calories are bad. But when food manufacturers are looking to make a profit, these truths can sometimes be blurred and exploited. That's why you need to be your own diet detective.

Don't worry -- we're here to help you figure out what's actually good for your waistline and what's not. AOL Body recently revealed the most common diet food imposters. What made the list? Here are a few:

• 'Real Fruit' Juice. Don't believe the name -- it's mostly just sugar, and can run you up to 300 calories.
  
• Chicken and Turkey Hot Dogs. They have just as much fat as regular ones.
  
• Sugar-free Sweets. Sugar-free stuff still has calories -- the only difference? The calories come from sugar alcohols instead.

So here's your first Summer Quick Fix Challenge:

12 "healthy" foods that really aren't:

Why? Click to find out!

Now that we're into May, there's no doubt that spring is springing. You'll need to dig out a few things: The barbecue, the lawnmower, the sun dresses, the flip flops, and perhaps most frighteningly, the bathing suit. Yes, that's right -- all the failed post-Christmas promises will reveal themselves with a vengence when you step out of the cabana for the first day on the beach. But don't fret -- it's not too late to do something about it.

We're teaming up with our friends at AOL Body to bring you America Takes It Off: Summer Quick Fix Challenge. Each week, we'll offer you tips and tricks to get you looking your best in time for summer. Watch for these great upcoming features:

• Each Monday, we'll issue you a Summer Quick Fix Challenge.
• Don't be shy -- reveal how many pounds you've lost each Wednesday in our Summer Quick Fix Poll, and we'll keep track of your progress in our Wednesday Weigh-in feature.
• Each Friday, we'll reveal how you did and talk about what worked.

Are you ready to take on the challenge and welcome a new you in time for summer? Yeah, we thought so. We'll see you back here on Monday, May 5th for our first Summer Quick Fix Challenge.

How long have you been thinking about starting a new diet or fitness routine? For me, I spent almost a year "considering" exercising before I finally got things moving. As my mid-section continued to expand, I made excuses about work, time, family commitments, etc. Sound familiar?

Most people need to find their "passion reason" for working out -- the emotional motivator they need to stick to their fitness goals. You can find your own "passion reason" by making a list of things that are important to you -- your "power list." By jotting down a few goals, and ways in which you'll achieve them, you can find the justification you need to lace up those running shoes and hit the pavement (or the gym, or wherever you go to keep active).

Now that I've found this, I think I'll re-evaluate the "passion reason" that got me started, which was, essentially, to avoid public embarrassment. When I started running, I told the readers of my personal blog that I'd post before and after pictures of my gut. While I've definitely made some progress these last couple months, now that the deadline is approaching, I may have to renege on that promise.

Need ideas for your list? Jorge Cruise makes some great suggestions here.