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Everyone’s body is different. The most important thing is to be comfortable in your own skin and to be healthy. No matter what your body type, being healthy will help you shed your insecurities before you slip off your cover-up. You’ll take big strides toward good health with a few simple exercises you can do anywhere. All it takes is less than half an hour a day.

It’s all very well to strengthen and tone your body, but with a layer of insulation over the top, no-one will ever see the fruits of all that hard work. The bottom line (pun intended) is cardio. Get your body moving 3-5 times a week to burn off the fat. And not just a slow jog, work up a sweat and challenge your body to make it change. Remember to train within your own limits, though. High intensity for someone else may be either too hard or too easy for you. Listen to your body. A great, efficient way to get cardio is through interval training. You can get a fantastic workout in about 20 minutes with a skipping rope or a set of stairs.

Firm up your Butt – At some point, if you’re going in for a swim, you’re going to have to drop your towel (if you want to use it when you get out!). Drop it with confidence, especially after you’ve toned up your glutes and thighs. Start with squats, progressing to split squats (one leg in front, the other foot on a bench behind you), then walking lunges. Make sure your front knee stays behind your toes throughout each exercise.

Flatten your Belly – Strong abdominal muscles will hold all your insides where they should be. This will help your profile, whatever style of bathing suit you choose. Try abdominal curls, planks (don’t forget to drag in your belly button when you do them) and bicycle exercises. Pilates classes are also fantastic for your core.

Lose the Batwings - Shoulders, chest, back and arms are all coming out for the summer – in tank tops, bathing suits and sundresses. Cut out the jiggle by strengthening your upper body. Try a combination of push-ups, pull-ups and arm raises. Add in a few triceps dips and arm curls and you’re covered.

The key here is to make it challenging for yourself. You should be able to do 10-12 repetitions of each exercise, with perfect technique. The last one should be a struggle. If not, it’s too easy, so you’ll need to add weights or move to a harder progression.

Find plenty of trainng tips here

Remember, after a hard workout, your self-control has taken a bit of a hit. Plan a post-workout snack, so you don’t stop at the coffee shop for a muffin and undo all that good work. Ideally you’ll eat a piece of fruit or drink some juice within about 45 minutes after your workout.

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We’re all busy and I understand how hard it is to squeeze in a full workout every day. If you can’t get your whole routine done in one go, break it up. Do your squats while doing the dishes, your lunges down the hallway and your ab exercises in front of your favourite TV show. You can even split your cardio into 10-minute blocks.

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You need a goal and that bathing suit may just be it! When you’re deciding whether or not to set the alarm for an early morning workout, pull that bikini out of the drawer and try it on. You may just decide to get up a few minutes earlier for an extra few crunches or minute of skipping rope.