Summer is a great time to get outside and soak in the sun. Many fitness enthusiasts also relish this time to use and show off the muscles they’ve built through the spring. Even if you don’t have that yet, there are ways that you can still trim the fat off and get toned before it gets too cold, and even often have fun doing it. There are several easy ways to tone up that don’t require a lot of extra time or changes to your daily routine. Here are four great ways to bring on the muscle and ditch the fat this summer.

Swim to Build Muscle

You can get the slimmer, more toned “swimmer’s body” by swimming regularly in a public or private pool this summer. According to Active.com, swimming can also burn anywhere from 400 to more than 900 calories per hour depending on a person’s weight and exertion levels. There are several types of swim strokes that can work different muscles in the body to give you a more complete workout, and some of these strokes include the back, breast and butterfly strokes. If you haven’t spent much time swimming before, then it’s best to get started under the guidance of an instructor. This will ensure that you are doing the right exercises for your desired result, and ensure that you are doing them safely. Once properly instructed, you can do laps weekly or even daily to get your muscles toned quickly before summer ends.

Use Special Regimens for Faster Results

If you want to pack on muscle fast, you can try certain supplemental regimens to get results. Many of these organized exercises provide a faster way to fat loss that tone your body in the most effective way. While you should never increase your exercise regimen more than your body is ready to take on at once, gentle increases under the guidance of a professional can help you reach your weight loss and muscle mass goals much faster than on your own. Special regimens also open up the opportunity for you to exercise in a group. This helps greatly in terms of motivation, and also makes it easier to measure your progress under the regimen’s recommendations.

Join a Gym

Getting a gym membership can also provide you with the motivation that you need to get into better shape. The best gyms give members access to state-of-the-art workout equipment that includes weights, cardio machines and yoga items to get the most comprehensive workouts imaginable. Many gyms allow members to participate in group fitness classes at no extra charge, which can help provide you with further motivation. Hiring a personal trainer to work with you can also help you stay more engaged in the process. If you have specific areas that you feel are flabbier than you’d like, you can spot train to help tone the muscles in those areas, tightening loose skin. Be aware, however, that spot treatments only tone; they do not remove fat. Overall exercise is the only way to remove fat, and it cannot be accurately predicted where it will come off first.

Avoid Unhealthy Foods

Foods containing high levels of unhealthy fats, sugars and preservatives should be avoided if you want to get and stay fit. High-sodium foods can also impact your health negatively by increasing your blood pressure and water retention. Some of the biggest dietary culprits include greasy fried fast foods, sweets and certain carbonated beverages. Eating whole foods that are high in protein, calcium and other good vitamins and minerals will help you build the ideal body. Vegetables and legumes also work to clear out the cholesterol in your bloodstream, making it easier for your body to flush out toxins. This encourages weight loss as fat deposits can often carry these toxins, and helping your lymphatic system can increase the rate at which excess fat is flushed out.

You can say goodbye to excess flabby parts by making a few positive modifications to your life. Eating healthy and exercising regularly can reduce excess fat in your body, while toning your muscles keeps your skin nice and tight in all the right ways. By making these changes, you’ll be able to fulfill your goal of living a healthier existence while looking good in the process.