Safe & Sensible Tips for Summer Fun 1. Consult with your doctor before pursuing strenuous activity. 2. Avoid rigorous activity when heat and sun are at their peak. 3. Use sunscreen. 4. Protect your eyes with sunglasses or a hat. 5. Drink plenty of water 6. Don't over exert yourself. 7. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion.

Summer is finally here and with it comes sunshine, warmth and those magnificent long days. It's a great time to get active, get fit and have some fun. Contrary to what you might think, getting fit can be fun! To fire up your enthusiasm and metabolism, we've compiled this list of fun-filled summer activities — everything you can imagine from A to Z:

Aerobics — Forget about those boring indoor exercise classes. Take a splash in the pool — do some jumping jacks and kicks. Water aerobics are fun and exhilarating, yet so easy on the joints.

Bike — Bicycling is wonderful outdoor fun. Do it with family or go it alone at your own pace. Either way, it's great exercise, and with today's biking technology, those inclines are much easier to take!

Dance — What's your pleasure — swing, line-dancing, salsa, disco, samba or waltz? All that fancy footwork is great for burning calories, toning muscles and exercising your heart.

Garden — Light on the cardio benefits, gardening is, nonetheless, a great way to build flexibility and strength. What's more, communing with nature can be relaxing and therapeutic.

Golf — Leave the cart at the clubhouse, and enjoy the benefits of walking the course. You'll burn a few calories and build up your stamina. Even a game of miniature golf with the grandkids gives you the opportunity to stretch and bend.

Tai Chi — Not up to rigorous activity? Tai Chi's slow, fluid movements will help you improve balance, coordination, flexibility and strength while soothing your mind.

Swim — There's hardly a more refreshing activity than swimming. A great way to build cardio fitness, regular swimming will also help you build strength.

Walk — With the weather so nice, take to your feet. Walk around the block, to the park, the mall, the zoo, the museum. Walking is one of the best fitness activities for strengthening your heart and losing weight.

Yoga — This ancient system of exercise energizes your body and calms your mind through various poses and positions. Great for building strength and flexibility, it's also a low cost activity.

Z-Z-ZS — Had a full day of activity? Go ahead, kick back and take a snooze on the veranda. You deserve it. A balanced life of activity and sleep are just what the doctor ordered.