Feel good sunny days are here and if the mere thought of fitting into that swimsuit in the back of your cupboard makes you cringe… it’s time!

Yep, spring is here and if the only “burpee” you’ve been doing was after comfort meals… well, then (like most of us!), you’ve probably packed on a few extra kilos. But here’s the great thing, spring is al about shedding the old you before wearing that first pair of shorts!

Be careful though, experts warn not to start training for a marathon on the first day after a winter of little or no physical activity. The “no pain, no gain” mentality doesn’t work – you have to start slow.

If you’ve taken the winter off it may be wise to start your spring training by walking for 10 minutes every day, and then the next week, bump it up to 15 minutes. Sure, this may be a lot slower than you want to go, but after a month of conditioning, you’ll have built up enough flexibility and endurance to move forward with a more strenuous exercise program.

Even if you loved your previous workout routine, it may be time to switch things up a little and give a little love to the parts of your body that aren’t getting as much attention. Mixing up your routine is not only good for the body, it’s good for the soul.

So, try something new. For instance, if you’re a devout yogi, give an aerobics dance class a go, or if you hit the pool to burn calories, you may like a high-energy kick-boxing class; this will make you feel like an absolute badass! If you usually train in the gym, train outdoors. Or, commit to a small group training class; the camaraderie is powerful, and the upfront commitment will help you to stick with it. You don’t want to plateau; variety is the spice of life, right?

Here are a few tips to get the motivationally challenged among us to get moving. Some might be a little crazy, but hey – it’s all about what works for you!

Remind yourself that it’s now or never.

Schedule it. Make it part of your day like showering or brushing teeth.

Start small. Pick a scenic route and start walking. Take lots of pictures – do it for the Insta!

Try something new. Jump rope and burn 208 calories in 20 minutes. Awesome!

Buddy up. You’re more likely to stick to the plan if you have a partner in crime.

Jump on the Twitter train. Give updates on your progress and cheer others on. (They’ll do the same for you!)

Get a gadget. Research by The Walking Way to Health Research Institute found that people who wear pedometers over a 12-week period of time ended up walking an extra 1 000 steps daily.

Turn your fitness goals into office décor. Tape a photo of that bikini you’re dying to buy where you can see it.

No workout, no wine. If you look forward to heading to the nearest waterhole after work, turn that treat into a reward after your workout.

Dedicate your workout to someone who is struggling; this way it becomes personal and powerful.

You don’t have to train hard core to live a happy, healthy life.

Start where you are, not where you want to be. Good luck!

Source: gethealthyu.com, www.glamour.com, www.theodysseyonline.com, www.mindbodygreen.com, www.popsugar.com, www.acefitness.org, www.fix.com, www.webmd.com, www.henryfordlivewell.com, www.active.com, www.theannaedit.com, fit.webmd.com, www.quickanddirtytips.com, www.shape.com, www.nia.nih.gov, www.mensfitness.com, lifehacker.com, www.hive-style.com, www.fitnessmagazine.com, zenhabits.net, www.buzzfeed.com, www.prevention.com, www.womanshealthmag.com, thoughtcatalog.com, web.facebook.com, mindbodybride.com, www.menshealth.com, www.theguardian.com, weightloss.allwomanstalk.com, www.scarymommy.com