Wednesday marked the first day of spring, which signaled swimsuit season is only a few months away. The thought of warm weather can be exciting, but simultaneously induces a panic attack among those who may have packed on a few pounds to keep warm. It’s time to get off that futon and start burning those calories so you’re looking slim and feeling good for summer.

• Take advantage of the gym: The Rec Center hasn’t gone anywhere. It still has plenty of ellipticals, treadmills and free weights to get you going. But if winter has left you in a workout rut,  leave your comfort zone and try a group fitness class. Your options range from Yoga and Cardio Kickboxing, to Spin and Zumba. If you’re lacking motivation, grab a friend. Studies show you’re more likely to go through with a workout if somebody else is depending on you. 
• Hire some help: If a class isn’t giving you the fast results you need, consider hiring a personal trainer. Marquette offers certified personal trainers for only $12 per session. The best part? Aside from getting one-on-one instructions and a killer workout routine, your first session is free. Schedule an appointment now by emailing [email protected].
• Run: It doesn’t take much. Just a simple pair of shoes and an iPod. A jog to the lake and back is around 3 miles, and has an added view of Milwaukee’s award-winning parks. If you want to keep it local, the Marquette Mile is a good area to do laps. Just make sure to jog in the evening when classes are out to avoid having to dodge a sea of students. 
• Challenge yourself: Feeling bold? With spring well on its way, there will be plenty of 5Ks around Milwaukee to sign up for. On April 20, UWM is hosting a Color Bash 5K. But beware: white clothing is a must because colors are thrown on runners during the race. For those who want to avoid the mess that comes with paint, Wisconsin’s biggest running club, Badgerland Striders, is hosting a half marathon on April 7. Even if you’re not a good runner, sign up for a race. It will give you incentive to train and keep in shape. 

Now turn off the computer and start exercising!