Want to Get Fit by Summer? Experts Say You Still Have Time

If the thought of swimsuit season has you motivated to get moving, Dr. Matthew Anastasi with the Mayo Clinic says that's reason enough to start. "There's no question that if someone were to start exercising now, they can certainly be more fit by summer," he said.

Anastasi says the ideal approach to health is a year-round commitment, though he's not dismissing seasonal motivation. If summer is what gets you off the couch, go with it.

Where you start depends on where you are. For people already exercising regularly, Anastasi recommends increasing the intensity of current workouts, whether the focus is upper body, lower body, or core. For beginners, the goal is simpler: work light movement into your daily routine and build from there.

Either way, Anastasi says both cardio and strength training need to be part of the plan. "It's important to look at both disciplines as an important aspect of your health, and that's helping from your endurance, as well as from developing muscle mass and increased strength." Cardio can include walking, hiking, running, jogging, or biking. Strength training can mean traditional weightlifting or bodyweight resistance exercises.

Diet is just as critical. Anastasi recommends keeping a food journal for a week to get an honest look at what you're actually eating and drinking. "When you look at that from an objective perspective, you can easily recognize opportunities to make adjustments," he said.