The end of the semester is near and summer is just around the corner, beckoning you to come play in the sand. But no one wants to play in the sand with the winter weight some of us are still desperately trying to lose. Well, have no fear y'all, that weight is easier to get rid of than you think! We all know that eating right and hitting the gym as often as possible are integral to losing that pesky weight. That part is easy. We know to stay away from the fats and sweets, and it unfortunately means no more drunken Cookout runs with a double order of seasoned fries. What not to eat is fairly simple, but what to eat is another thing entirely. Eating properly can be the turning point in helping you lose those last few pounds around your gut.

Here's a list I've compiled to help us all eat healthy:

1. Water

Drink a lot of water, every day. We all know the old saying that we need to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day, but we're smarter than that now and know we need more than that. A good rule of thumb is to drink a glass every hour. This will help you feel more full throughout the day and allow you to keep up energy during your workout.

2. Lean Meats

When we think of lean meats, we think chicken. There's a thousand and one ways to cook chicken, but at the end of the day, chicken gets boring and old pretty quick. Good news is that chicken isn't the only lean meat available to eat. A few of my favorites to eat are: turkey, egg whites, pork tenderloin and pork chops, salmon, and tuna. Try to stay away from fatty foods such as tilapia as it is low in omega-3 fatty acids that are in most fish.

3. Vegetables

Veggies are love, veggies are life. Stuff your face with dark vegetables. Dark vegetables are a subgroup of the vegetable group which are characterized by being chock-full of delicious and healthy nutrients. Think of greens such as kale, broccoli, spinach, asparagus and collards. This doesn't mean dark veggies should be the only the vegetables you need to eat. You should also eat others that are just as nutrient dense such as; mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, cucumbers, and sweet potatoes.

4. Fruits

Fruits are deliciously sweet. These flavors are mainly produced by the natural sugars found inside. When eaten in excess, these sugars are turned into body fat. Don't let this deter you from eating fruits, though. Much like vegetables, most fruits are high in nutrients and can increase your metabolism, helping you lose weight. Some of the best fruits for losing weight include: tomatoes, avocado, coconut, grapefruit, lemons, kiwi, most berries and melons. When deciding which fruits to buy, avoid most canned, frozen or dried fruit. These types of fruits are typically higher in sugars and lose some of their natural nutrients from being processed.

5. Carbohydrates

Carbs are a tricky food to tackle when it comes to weight loss. Most fad diets are low or no carb and give the impression that carbs are to be feared. The key to carbohydrates is moderation and most importantly choosing the right carbs for eating. Determining the right carbs to eat is fairly simple; you need to choose foods that are high in fiber and aren't refined. Foods such as whole grains, legumes, and low-fat dairy products are healthy and okay to eat. Processed and refined foods such as white bread and pastas and artificial sugars need to be avoided.

Now that I have briefly covered what to eat and glanced over what should be avoided, hopefully you all can finally get that summer beach body you've always wanted. Remember though, diet isn't everything. Going to the gym and being active is also just as important.