Summers can be harder to maintain your workout and overall healthy lifestyle. HEALTH speaks to an expert about the best ways to prepare for your summer fitness goals.

• Before, during, and after exercise, the key to staying energized and refreshed is to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated at all times. Don’t wait to feel thirsty, drink anyway. You could switch to  a sports drink with electrolytes if you are going to be working out for more than an hour.
• For this even 20 minutes of high intensity interval training (HIIT) can get you the momentum for fat blasting and muscle building as long as you maximize your effort. Short workouts  should be taken up with a goal in mind to workout at your personal maximum intensity. Try pushing your limits further for 10 more reps, this will help maximize the hormonal response from your workout.
• Harsh summers do take a toll and it’s important to listen to your body. Stop immediately if you are feeling dizzy or nauseous.
• Moving onto what to wear, be familiar with the word “sweat-wicking.” It helps workout better when you go for technical gear from your shirt to your socks.
• A 20-minutes workout should target your upper, middle, and lower body with pushups, planks, crunches, and burpees, and there you have got a complete workout.
• Remember, fruits such as grapes,watermelons, cantaloupes, and honey dew are more than 80 percent water; they serve for a refreshing treat to replenish fluids and boost your energy post workout.
• Choose a time to either early morning or late evening. Take along an exercise buddy and leave all the excuses behind to rev up for some cool fitness fun even in sultry summers.

(Credit: Fitness First)