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Having a great health insurance plan that meets your needs is important. So is staying shape and feeling great. Believe it or not, summer workouts can be both cool and enjoyable – just add water! Whether you're heading for the lake, the river or the sunny coast this summer, you'll want to look and feel your bathing suit best. With that in mind, Esurance has put together a few helpful tips for staying fit and feeling fine this summer.

• Drink water. Water is absolutely essential to staying healthy and hydrated during the warm summer months. If you work out in the heat, drink plenty of water both before and after your workout to get the most out of your exercise routine and avoid the painful side effects of dehydration. Keep in mind that water is also a natural appetite suppressor and assists the body in metabolizing fat deposits, so the more water you drink the easier it will be to loose weight and keep it off.
  
  
• Dive in. Don't just drink it, jump in and swim! Water workouts are amazingly beneficial, being both cardiovascular and low impact. Regular swimming or water aerobics can increase endurance, build muscle and improve cardiovascular fitness. In addition, swimming and other water sports offer the same positives as running without many of the negatives like muscle and joint strain. Swimming also provides a wide range of difficulty and, depending on your objectives, can be as easy or as difficult as you like.
  
  
• Float on. You don't actually have to get in the water to get a great workout. Kayaking and canoeing are both great ways to flatten your abs while strengthening and toning your entire upper body. To get the most out of your workout, be sure to balance the exertion. Row on both sides of the boat and reverse directions every so often in order to work your muscles evenly.
  
  
• Hit the beach. All types of exercise are improved at the beach. Not only is it more pleasant to walk or run with your toes in the surf than on a treadmill, it's also easier on your body's joints. If running's not your thing, take a Frisbee and a friend and enjoy all the benefits of an aerobic workout while having fun at the same time.
  
  
• Poolside. If you don't live near a large body of water, your local pool is another great place to work on your beach body. Swimming works your whole body and just 30 minutes a day can improve strength, endurance, posture, flexibility and cardiovascular health. So swing by your local pool, take the kids, play Marco Polo, have fun, and get in shape!
  
  

Summer's the perfect time to make a splash with your workout. By exercising in or near the water, you can stay cool, have fun and get a great bathing suit body all at the same time. Before you hit the beach however, make sure you have health insurance that fits your needs. Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen!

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