10 Tips to Whipping Your Body into Shape for Summer

So the jig's up and most of us have finally realized, and begrudgingly accepted, that we will not be frolicking on the beach in a thong bikini this summer.

Sad? Eh, maybe if you (and your metabolism) are stuck in the '80s. Otherwise, you should know that you don't need a starvation plan -- or a sarong wrapped over your butt -- to feel confident in your body and sexy in a swimsuit this season.

That's right, you heard me. It's time to retire the Montego Bay seahorse sarong. Sorry, but come on -- it's really only hiding your self-esteem. You won't need that cover-up anyway, because with insider secrets from me on how to quickly de-bloat and shed a few pounds, coupled with the best summer skin tips for glowing, bronzed skin, you're going to want to flaunt every inch of your body.

So check out the 11 expert tricks to getting your body and skin ready for a fun-filled summer without any body loathing and who knows, you might end up so confident that you'll start looking for nude beaches … maybe …

Cardio, cardio, cardio

When it comes to slimming down fast, heart-pumping, fast-paced exercises are your best bet. Choose a form of cardio that helps you get your heart rate up -- really up. I recommend bumping up a cardio routine of "running, rowing, swimming, cycling or elliptical training, 45 to 60 minutes, 4 to 5 times per week to expedite weight loss.

If you can't find a full hour a day to work out, don't give up all hope in general. A 10 minute "express workout" that gets your heart pumping a couple of times a day will give you great results, so no more excuses. Try jumping jacks or climbing stairs, or heck, take a sprint around your work building every couple of hours. I also suggest swapping your office chair for a medicine ball, so you sneakily work your core without even thinking about it.

Bust your booty

Want to get that rear in shape? Who doesn't. Here are my secret "butt blasting" workouts  to be done at least once a week (more if you have the time and the energy). Aim for 15 to 20 repetitions of each:

• Squat thrusts with a medicine ball
• Sumo lunge with side kick and frog jump
• Jumping lunges
• Platypus walk with medicine ball

Avoid these foods and drinks

Certain foods are guaranteed to bloat your body so avoid these for a couple weeks leading up to your bathing suit debut. Steer clear of dairy, regular and diet soft drinks, sports drinks, and excessive fruit and instead stick to greens like spinach, broccoli, kale, and asparagus (a natural diuretic), as well as snacks like raw almonds, red peppers, and celery. Oh, and hydrate with water and teas only.

Remember, all calories aren't created equal

One of the biggest mistakes women trying to slim down make is treating every calorie the same. Many women think the calories from say, a granola bar, are going to be processed by the body the same way the calories from a chicken breast are. This is not true. When you are trying to loose weight skip processed carbs and excessive fruit or fat. Stick to nutrient-rich,  quality calories such as chicken, quinoa and vegetables.

Schedule a facial

According to celebrity esthetician and skin care expert Renée Rouleau, women need to get facials at least four times a year -- that's once at the start of each new season in order to remove dry skin, correct discoloration and brown spots, and most importantly, stimulate cell renewal for a fresh face, says Rouleau. So if you haven't had a facial since winter, it's time.

If you can't get to a spa to get one done, make sure you are giving yourself mini at-home facials on a regular basis:
Step 1: Start by washing skin with a mild cleanser.
Step 2: Use a facial exfoliant to remove dead and dry skin cells. Try any good exfoliator like Liz Earle.

Step 3: Immediately follow with a few drops of a skin-repairing serum, then apply a thin coat of a clarifying mask to your entire face and neck. The mask will help the serum penetrate deeper into your skin.

Step 4: Leave on 10 to 15 minutes, and use a warm wash cloth to gently clean off your face. Finish by applying your favorite moisturizer.

Ward off breakouts

If you have oily skin, summer can be the worst time to try to keep breakouts at bay, as sweating aggravates acne and leads to pimples on the body and face. I recommend treating mild to moderate facial acne with retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, which you can get from your doctor or in some drugstore brands. Other ingredients to look for: zinc sulfate, tea tree, caffeine, and niacinamide, which will all work to slow oil production. When it comes to clearing body acne, also look for a wash containing benzoyl peroxide.

Fix dry spots

With your body on full display, you're going to want to have smooth, hydrated skin, which means taking care of any dry, cracked or rough patches with a little TLC. This means paying extra attention to your knees, elbows, heels and hands.

Start this process in the shower by applying a super moisturizing body wash like Dove VisibleCare Creme Body Wash with NutriumMoisture. Lather it over your body with a loofah to gently exfoliate and hydrate skin at the same time. Once you're out of the shower, rub a lotion all over and add a couple of drops of body oil like L'Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil, which works to repair the hydrolipidic barrier of the skin and really sink into those rough patches (knees, elbows, etc.) So you get glowing -- fast.

Get waxed

Body hair is the last thing you want to worry about this summer and waxing is a great alternative to shaving if you have hair you're uncomfortable with. Waxing is better [than shaving] because it removes hair from the root. When you shave you just cut the hair, so two hours later, you can see the hair there or a blue shadow, which is the hair follicle below the skin. Waxing, on the other hand, not only lasts up to a month, but it's also more permanent -- over time, it thins the hair so less grows back. Bonus: It exfoliates the skin as well, leaving you feeling silky smooth (and leaving you with one less skin care to-do).

If you opt for waxing, do not to use any scrubs for the next 48 hours and do not expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. Also, to treat any resulting redness or swelling, apply a small amount of cortisone cream from the drugstore. If you choose to stick to the good ol' razor, make sure to shave after you take a shower or bath, so your hair is softer and easier to remove. And always lather up with a moisturizing shave cream and use a brand new razor to minimize irritation.

Get glowing

Of course, you know you'll look healthier and thinner with a tan. But you also know that the only safe way to achieve aforementioned tan is with self-tanner. The good news is a realistic faux-glow is super easy to achieve, especially if you follow these tips.

Start by exfoliating to get rid of that top layer of dead skin cells and shave or wax the usual areas. Skip the moisturizer on the day you plan to apply self-tanner, as it can act as barrier between the tanning ingredients and your skin. For the most natural looking tan, you are going to want to choose a product that's only one or two shades darker than your natural skin hue.  

Be sunscreen savvy

All seasons require regular sunscreen application, but summer is that special time when more of the body is exposed to the sun for longer periods of time, which means you need more sunscreen, applied more often and to more body parts.

Here are some sunscreens to try:
For the face -- MDSolarSciences Mineral Screen Tinted Gel SPF 30, is great for the summer months as it's a physical block containing titanium dioxide and zinc. It's also non-comedogenic, so it won't clog pores. Added bonuses: No shiny or gooey residual feel, no added chemical actives, and it adds a subtle hint of color if you want to go sans makeup on the beach.
For the body -- Aveeno HYDROSPORT Sunblock Spray with SPF 50,  is great for when you're on the go. It provides UVA/UVB protection and stays on despite water and sweat. Added bonuses: Lightweight, non-greasy, and no goopy white mess.

I hope you've all enjoyed these tips and get yourself ready for summer time.  I'm so excited ;)