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Four ways to lose weight this summer

How did summer creep up so fast? If you had great plans to slim down and shape up before swimming costume season hit but never quite kept up with your goals, don't despair. Follow these four easy steps to improve your summertime eating habits and lose weight.

1. Drink ... drink ... drink ... water
   Put away the frizzy drinks. Stop buying sweetened fruit beverages. Ignore the advertisements for milkshakes, cold coffee beverages and iced tea. Choose water instead. Why? Water has zero calories, quenches your thirst better than sweetened beverages and helps keep our bodies cool in the summertime heat. Try these tactics:
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• Drink 12-16 ounces of water with every meal.
• Bring along a water bottle in the car.
• Keep numerous filled bottles on your desk so that you don't have to refill as often.
• Keep a cooler full of water with you on outings to the beach.
• Add a twist of fresh lime or lemon for a zingy taste.
• Freeze a water bottle overnight for ice-cold drinking throughout the next morning. Just make sure to leave 1-2 inches of air in the bottle before freezing to prevent accidents in the freezer.
• Make it a personal challenge. Keep a pitcher of ice water in the fridge, and drink it all by the end of the day.
• Place an 8- or 10-ounce glass on the counter. Every time you walk past, fill it up with water and drink.
2. Shop at farmer's markets for the freshest produce
   Not sure what to do with beetroot or aubergines? Ask the farmer at the market, or browse through our recipe finder for great ideas. Make the farmer's market a stop on your weekly route, and you'll have no excuse for not eating plenty of gorgeous and delicious produce every day. Keep a bowl of baby carrots, snap peas and broccoli on hand for snacking.
3. Start your day with a whirl
   Mix fruit, milk or juice and ice cubes. Pour everything in the blender, whirl, and breakfast is ready in a snap. Try your favourite combination of fresh and frozen fruit, or sample one of our recipes for more ideas. Breakfast -- and getting enough fruit in your diet -- was never so easy.
4. Think small
   Our appetite often decreases when the temperature rises, so take advantage and eat smaller meals. Split a sandwich with a friend, order a cup of soup instead of a bowl, opt for an appetizer portion at dinner instead of an entree, and if you're indulging in ice cream, ask for the smallest cone possible. You'll be pleasantly surprised that a smaller portion satisfies hunger just as effectively, and your waistline will definitely thank you.

Share your top healthy eating tips with fellow iVillagers on the Eating For Health message board. Take a look at what discussions are happening there now, LIVE!

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