The winter months are coming to an end, and for most high school and college students this is what’s next… spring break! So after months of comfort foods, partying, and maybe not working out like one should, spring break is the start to what’s coming. After spring break, you know that Memorial Day is soon on the way, and then summer time! So how do you get your body in the shape that you’d want it?

First of all, watch what you eat. It’s time to clean up your diet. Get rid of all junk foods, fried foods, fatty foods, sodas, and alcohol. Incorporate healthy fat in to your diet; in example, small portions of olive oil or avocado. Eat 5-6 small meals a day to help increase your metabolism and also help you avoid cravings by keeping you full throughout the day. Also, drink plenty of water to help flush out any toxins in your body.

Hollywood stars are gorgeous and fit and seemingly fabulous in every way. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No matter how much we hate them for it, we’re still constantly curious about how exactly they go back getting “those arms” or “that butt.”

A few darlings of the Hollywood set have opened up about using star fitness trainer Tracy Anderson to whip them in to shape. Via Gwyneth Paltrow’s GOOP newsletter, a long-time follower of Anderson’s workout method, Kristin Davis, co-starring in May 28’s “Sex and the City 2,” Courtney Cox, of ABC’s “Cougar Town,” and fashion designer and philanthropist Donna Karan explain why the Tracy Anderson Method works for them.

The best news? With her DVD series, which the stars use too, you can work on your Hollywood body at home.

Guest blogger Yishane Lee is the author of “The Athlete’s Palate: Renowned Chefs, Delicious Dishes, and the Art of Fueling Up While Eating Well” (Rodale), a cookbook for the gourmet endurance athlete.

Most athletes know that carbohydrates and protein are critical to fuel a workout and aid recovery after exercise. But beyond those nutrients, there are five essential nutrients to incorporate into your diet in order to make sure your body operates at its peak.

1. Anthocyanins

This antioxidant gives red, blue, and purple fruits and vegetables their color. It reduces inflammation and counteracts muscle damage that can be caused by working out and also improves cardiovascular function. Blueberries, strawberries, cherries, blood oranges, eggplant, and red grapes are all good sources of anthocyanins. Even the cocoa in dark chocolate contains this antioxidant.

There is no shortage of fitness DVDs available to anyone who wants to get in shape at home. But one of the primary complaints about fitness DVDs is that they don’t provide the challenge that you may receive in the gym, in a workout class or with a personal trainer.

But two incredibly popular workout DVD programs promise the sweat and burn you would get from training with any hardcore trainer. Here is a comparison of the Insanity Workout program and the P90X program.

P90X

• Number of DVDs: 12
• Workouts: Chest and Abs, Plyometrics, Shoulders and Arms, Yoga X, Legs and Back, Kenpo X, X Stretch, Core Synergistics, Chest, Shoulders and Triceps, Back and Biceps, Cardio X, Ab Ripper X.
• Results seen in: 90 days
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Exercise is the best and safest way to improve the appearance of the body. Exercise not only improves your appearance, it reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It has also been proven to improve energy levels, sleep, and reduce stress. I definitely recommend implementing exercise into your daily routine, even as much as 30 minutes most days of the week is a great place to get started.

If you’re one of the many people considering plastic surgery, then you need to know exercise is imperative before doing so. By implementing cardiovascular and weight training along with proper stretching into your daily routine, your body will be well prepared for the surgery. This type of conditioning will strengthen your heart, firm your body, and will help quicken the post-surgery recovery. I recommend performing 30 to 60 minutes of cardiovascular training four to five days a week, at least 30 minutes of weight training three days a week, and stretching five to six days a week. Rest is also an important pre-surgery recommendation. Proper rest will ensure safety and success!