Most of us blow it out on the Fourth of July with fireworks, booze and red, white and blue cupcakes. With the biggest party of the summer now over, it's a good time to recommit to a fitness strategy.

• Workout in the early morning or the cooler evening. Since it's hot out there, and there's lots to do during the day, exercise first thing in the morning or later as the sun goes down. I like the morning just to get it over with. But either way, exercising during non-peak heat hours is always better.
  
• Since the kids are around use them to help you motivate. No school and the energizer bunnies need to blow off some steam? Initiate the activities. Play tennis, go biking, run while they ride their bikes, bike together, throw a Frisbee at the park, swim, shoot hoops or pass around the soccer ball. Don't let your kids be the only ones to engage in a summertime camp. Another good idea if you have a small child, throw them on the front of a boogie board while you do laps back and forth in a pool, lake, or ocean. For those of you without kids, borrow a friend's (they would love the break), take the dog, or solicit a friend. Get out there!
  
• Be good during the week. There are so many barbeques and parties to go to on the weekend, so you should really stay on the straight and narrow during the week. Eat healthy, avoid alcohol and keep a regular exercise routine Monday through Friday. When the weekend comes, you will be able to enjoy yourself more and not pay such a huge price.
  
• Force yourself to wear shorts or your bathing suit. I know this is harsh, but there is a reality check every time we have to wear shorts or throw on a bathing suit. Don't avoid doing this, but rather keep in touch with your body. If you keep covering it up, then you may continue to avoid getting started. Not to mention, who wants to feel like a prisoner in her own body? Nobody really cares what anyone else looks like; we're all too busy obsessing about ourselves.
  
• Appreciate the warm weather. Before you know it we'll be talking about getting ready for the school year and the fact that summer is already over. Summer is here now, so attack each day with some zest. Take advantage of all there is to do with so much going on.
  
• Drink water. It's easy to get dehydrated and feel run down just because we didn't drink enough water. Reach for the water instead of sodas (diet or regular) and juices (including sports drink).