Summer officially starts on Friday - WHOO HOO! Bikini season is in full force! I'll have tips all Summer. Parts 1 and 2 you can find here and here. Onto the next...

1. Interval Training: Sure, you feel like you're doing your part by going for a run, bike ride, or churning that elliptical. Eventually though, your body gets used to the same old routine. An easy way to mix it up is to add in some interval training. Not only does it increase your cardiovascular health - it also has been proven to burn fat more efficiently.

Here are a few easy ways to incorporate interval training into your workout:

a. On the Treadmill: Run/Jog at a comfortable pace for two minutes, sprint for a minute, run/jog for two, sprint for one. Repeat this for a half hour.

b. Outdoor Run: Run/Jog to one telephone pole (or tree, or house, or whatever else), sprint to the next, run, sprint.

c. On the Elliptical/Bike: Move at a medium pace for one minute, then turn up the resistance (you'll look and feel like you're moving in slow motion - that's ok) do that for two minutes and repeat cycle for a half hour.

d. At Home or Outside: Run up a flight of stairs 5-15 times (depending on your level) walk or jog for a minute repeat until you finish the set of 5-15.

Tell me how different you feel at the end of this workout compared to your regular routine.

2. Quit Eating Processed Foods... For Good.

Here's the deal. Processed foods are laced with flavor enhancers (glutamates - or almost anything on the label that ends in -ATE). Studies have shown that these flavor enhancers BLOCK your leptin hormone (HUNGER HORMONE) which is why you keep eating and never feel satisfied when you eat these foods. Crazy, right? More on this subject here.

3. Don't Ignore Cravings, just be Smart about it

This is something that took me a long time to learn. If you are craving chocolate or chips or something else that you don't think you should have while you're trying to get in bikini shape, ignore the craving for the day. If you are still craving it the next day, have a small portion of whatever it is - the real version - not the fat-free-preservative-laced-gross kind. You'll feel satisfied and will have a clear head. Being healthy isn't about punishing yourself or depriving foods you love. Everything is ok in moderation, just watch your portions.

I had been craving ice cream for a week when I finally had this serving.

Have a great weekend - enjoy the weather and most importantly - be confident! xo

90 degrees in the Boston area this weekend... how's the bikini prep going? Second installment is here to help! (Part one is posted here.)

1. Replace carb/candy/granola-protein bar snacks with fruit. Snacking is an important part of your diet. I'm a 3pm snacker. Some prefer a mid morning snack and an afternoon snack. Whatever your schedule calls for... snack with fruit, vegetables, or a handful of almonds. I have a rule for myself... if I think I'm hungry for a snack... I ask myself if I want a banana or an apple... if I don't... I must not be that hungry. It tends to work. Now, I have nothing against quasi-healthy snacks such as pop chips, hummus/pita, etc., however, during bikini prep... I aim for fruit. The complex carbs keep me energized for workouts and the calorie content is low. Munch on...

2. Keep gettin' yo lift on. Here are my 'Moves of the Week'

1. Squat Thrust: Gets your heart rate up and works pretty much all of your muscle groups. Do these periodically throughout your workout. Try 10 at a time and then build up from there, adding 2-5 more at a time.

Instructions: Jump up, Squat down, Jump out into plank, Jump back to squat, Jump up.

2. Planks: Works your entire abdominal, quads, shoulders, chest & more. Keep your hips tucked (butt down) and aim to hold for a minute, then add 10 seconds at a time as you get stronger.

3.  Medicine ball abs twists (if you don't have a medicine ball you can use a free weight or even nothing. Try and touch the ground with the ball/weight on each twist)

Pro Tip: Try taking selfies of yourself as you workout - it really turns the burn on! KIDDING. (taking these were misery, I need a photag)

But, try turning in your planks...holding on each side (left). As an additional challenge... lift the top leg up. You'll work more muscle groups and target the obliques. Nobody likes a muffin top.

Next, when you finish with the medicine ball twists, bring your legs from the starting position, down and then up. Add the top half of your body to create a V-Up.

3. Make No Excuses & Mix it Up! Today, I had planned to go to boxing after work but traffic got in the way, so, instead I went for a little runski and then lifted in my living room. If you're someone who lifts a lot, replace a day with cardio, and vice versa. Keeping your body challenged will help torch calories.