With summer just around the corner, most people are focused on getting their bodies "bathing suit ready." The following is a list of five ways that men and women can not only get fit, but stay fit throughout the year.

Step 1: Know yourself and be realistic. Take the time to figure out what your "problem areas" are in terms of bad habits, including late-night eating, skipping breakfast, drinking large amounts of sugary beverages, oversized portions and limited activity. Select a few areas to work on so you do not become overwhelmed. Make sure your goals are achievable; this will help you stick to your plan. Rather than focus on a magic weight or clothing size, look at healthy living parameters such as lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and lower blood sugar levels.

Step 2: Look at the time. How you time your meals is crucial. When you skip breakfast, eat a small lunch and are starving by dinner, it’s easy to overeat. Instead, space your calories out throughout the day. Too many calories at one time cannot be used by the body and are stored as fat. You should never feel stuffed or starved; aim to eat enough so that you are content and comfortable. Also read labels to determine correct portion sizes and stick with them.

Step 3: Avoid crash diets. If their promises seem too good to be true, they probably are. Although crash diets may seem to work in the short term, you are likely losing only water weight, not fat. In addition, if you drastically decrease your calories, you can slow your metabolism and make it more difficult to lose weight down the road. Make good health a goal you live with for the long term.

Step 4: Stay hydrated. Nothing beats water. If you’re not a water drinker, try sugar-free drinks. Try to avoid sodas and juice drinks, which provide extra sugar and calories.

Step 5: Get moving. Make exercise a habit and stick with it. Choose an activity that you really like, such as hiking, aerobics, swimming or tennis. Remember, if you find something you enjoy doing, you are more likely to continue with it on a regular basis. 

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations -- MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the Physicians Practice Group. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, and employees of the Physicians Practice Group, not employees of MCG Health Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the Physicians Practice Group and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and  specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.