The sun is shining longer every day, telling you that it is time to get ready for vacations, activities with family and friends and of course, swimsuit season. To help you prepare, there are some simple fitness tips you can follow to look and feel good this summer season.

Here are a six tips to help you tackle your workout routines and get your body ready for your summer wardrobe:

1. Set a goal…beyond weight. Don’t hang all your expectations and motivations on a number on the scale. With weight loss, plateaus are common. If you set yourself a goal beyond the immediate, you’re likely to maintain your motivation. For example, aim to hike a particularly steep trail or swim several extra laps this summer — the endurance and strength you gain from exercise will help you achieve these activity goals, no matter what the scale says.

2. Find the kind of routine that works for you. Different things work for different people — some prefer to exercise at home and some prefer the gym; some prefer a flexible exercise schedule and others need regimented time slots devoted to exercise; some like to mix it up and some prefer to do the same exercises in the same sequence. You’re more likely to adhere to your exercise plan if it fits your style.

3. Don’t just focus on cardio; strength-training is important, too. Building lean muscle does burn fat, but not as much as cardio. However, it’s still an equally important part of any get fit plan. Strength and endurance require strong core muscles, legs, and arms.

4. Mix it up with challenges. Keeping up with your long-term routine can get a little stale. Throw in a weekly challenge when you feel your motivation lagging. You don’t have to do the same exercises every time. There are so many different types of exercise — interval training, circuit training, yoga, Zumba, spinning, swimming, running. Boredom leads to demotivation; combat it by switching things up when needed.

5. Don’t get injured! Exercising irresponsibly can land you with an injury that leaves you on the sidelines. Don’t let a tight summer deadline trick you into overdoing it.

6. Keep a food journal. Writing down what you eat can help you keep calories in check.

Summer and warmer weather will be here before you know it, so get started right away to show off your physical fitness and summer-ready body. Put these fitness tips to use now to get your body toned and ready.