Mathews McGarry is passionate about many forms of strength training, and has spent years lifting, dragging and flipping all manner of heavy objects. After graduating from the Faculty of Health Sciences, he started writing about his experiences, and sharing tips for a better life. He is an all-around fitness adviser and his words are strong as an Australian Bull.  We may be entering Fall and Winter on this side of the globe, but for Australian fitness expert Mathews, Summer is just approaching in Australia!  Here’s his own tips and hacks to get a summer body.  Follow Mathews on Twitter and Facebook!

Guest Post by Mathews McGarry for Anna Susanne * The Travelling Pixie

We could hardly wait for the gloomy and cloudy winter days to be over, and with the first hints of spring we excitedly took out all those pretty clothes we had stored in the back of our wardrobes during winter. However, before we dive into the wonderful warm weather and join exciting beach parties, we should do something to re-energise, refresh, and prepare our bodies for the summer ahead. Getting back in shape is not an easy task, but luckily there are a few easy tricks that can help you reach your goal.

Health hidden in food

Winter is a time when we crave calories because of the cold, and our bodies start missing vitamin D which we get from being exposed to the sun, but luckily that time is behind us. Out with the old, and in with the new: fresh fruit and vegetables will help you feel healthier and stronger. Start drinking flavoured water which you can easily make yourself using only fresh fruit and/or vegetables and mason jars. Swap chips for butter-free popcorn, and eat plenty of peanut butter-banana sandwiches with whole grain bread in between meals. A cup of green tea with lemon and honey in the morning will supply you with enough caffeine and also help with weight loss.

Change your routine

Shaping up is a battle that is fiercely fought on more than one front: the gym, your kitchen, and all the time you spend out of bed. This is why you should incorporate slight changes into your everyday routine; park a few blocks further than you usually do and walk to your office, use the stairs whenever you can, and start spending time with your friends in casual walks instead at bars. Top it up with a few trips to the swimming pool or bike rides to the nearest park (picnics in April are just lovely!) and you will feel your body moving more easily every day.

I like to move it, move it…

Of course, no diet is entirely effective unless paired with a serious workout. And by ‘serious’ we don’t mean sweating in the gym for hours every day of the week; simple exercises you can do at home and a couple of trips to the gym will give wonderful results in just a few weeks. To speed up the process and make sure you don’t hurt yourself while working out, it’s best you consult a personal fitness trainer and work with them. This way, you will be able to find the best possible exercises for your body type and you will have a professional by your side to monitor your progress and correct any mistakes you might make.

DIY health

When we talk about a ‘summer body’, it’s all about working out and losing weight. Sadly, we completely disregard our skin, hair, and nails, and they too need a recovery treatment after a long winter. To restore healthy shine to your matte hair, make an easy DIY hair mask using ordinary ingredients such as eggs, avocado, lemon, coconut oil, bananas and honey. Applying such a mask once a week for a couple of months will give amazing results you will love. For your face and body you can use honey and ground coffee to make a simple body scrub which will exfoliate and tighten your skin. Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with two spoons of honey to get a nurturing mask for your face which will clear your skin at the same time.

Getting a summer body is not an easy task, but if you have a clear goal in mind and enough motivation, you can accomplish anything. Stay determined and in just a couple of months you will be chilling at the beach with your friends, enjoying cool drinks and the hot weather without a care in the world.