Summer is upon us, and for many of us, that means hitting the beach or the pool in a bikini. But if you’ve been slacking on your workouts or overindulging in comfort food, you may not feel quite ready to show off your body.

The good news is that with a little commitment and effort, you can slim down and feel confident in your own skin in just a few short weeks. Here are some tips to help you get started.

1. Clean up your diet

The first step to slimming down is to clean up your diet. Focus on eating lean protein, colorful fruits and veggies, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of alcohol.

You don’t have to go on an extreme diet, but making healthier choices and learning to portion control will make a big difference in your weight loss journey.

2. Drink plenty of water

Water is essential for weight loss as it helps to flush out toxins and keeps your body hydrated. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and add lemon or cucumber slices to make it more refreshing.

3. Increase your activity level

To burn off excess fat, you need to increase your activity level. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, this can be a brisk walk, a jog, or a bike ride.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator, and park your car a little farther away from your destination, so you have an opportunity to take a stroll. If you have access to the gym, weightlifting and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are excellent options.

4. Incorporate strength training

Cardio will help you burn off fat, but strength training is just as important. It will help build lean muscle mass, and muscle actually burns more calories than fat.

Focus on working out with weights two to three times a week, targeting your major muscle groups. If you aren’t comfortable working out with weights, bodyweight exercises, such as push-ups and squats, can be just as effective.

5. Get enough sleep

Sleep is often overlooked in the weight loss journey, but it’s crucial. Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep a night to ensure your body has enough time to recover and rejuvenate.

A lack of sleep can lead to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol, which can lead to weight gain and poor food choices.

6. Don’t skip meals

Skipping meals is a common misconception when it comes to losing weight, but it can actually slow down your metabolism and cause you to overeat later. Instead, focus on eating small, frequent meals throughout the day to keep your metabolism revved up.

7. Consider a low-carb diet

A low-carb diet can be an effective way to shed some pounds quickly. Carbs, especially refined carbs, can cause your blood sugar to spike and lead to weight gain.

Reducing your carb intake can help reduce your appetite, and lead to a reduction in overall body weight.

8. Track your progress

Tracking your progress can be a good motivator. Whether you use a journal or a fitness tracking app, document your weight loss and your exercise progress. Seeing how far you’ve come can be just the motivation you need to keep pushing forward.

9. Find a workout buddy

Working out with a friend or family member can make exercise more fun and help keep you accountable. You can motivate and encourage each other, and push each other to reach your goals.

10. Keep a positive attitude

Finally, the most important thing you can do when it comes to weight loss is to keep a positive attitude. You aren’t going to see results overnight, and there may be setbacks along the way.

But staying positive, motivated, and committed to your goals will help you get through the tough times and reach your ideal body weight.