With summer rolling around the corner, getting that hot summer body may be on ones to do list. Something that many people don’t realize is that a fit body takes more than just daily exercise.

Behind every six pack is healthy eating. Today, teens may spend a lot of time on the field, but when lunch time comes around, their trips to the snack bar include high calorie, fat loaded goodness. A moderately active girl should only intake an average of 2,000 calories a day while boys need between 2,200 and 2,400 daily. For a more active teen, the amount of calories needed raises; a girl needs about 2,200 to 3,000 and a boy needs around 3,000 to 4,000 calories daily. That may seem like a lot, but the calories pack on quick.

“I never pay attention to the amount of calories in the food I eat,” junior James Glennon said. “It never crossed my mind when I sit down to eat.”

Along with good eating, a person should drink eight glasses of water daily, and a more active person should drink more. Yes Gatorade and protein drinks can be helpful, but the best way is to go with water.

“I drink about four to five cups a day,” freshman Chelsey Hieger said. “Otherwise I drink Gatorade or Naked normally.”

Often over looked, is getting a good amount of sleep. With early morning practices or early tutorials and also late night games etc., teens are losing a lot of the sleep they need. The average person needs eight to 10 hours of sleep every night.

“I get about six hours of sleep every night since I stay up watching TV,” sophomore Garrett Reid said. ”Plus I just have a lot on my mind most of the time.”

Yes, exercise is extremely important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it’s not the only thing necessary. Maybe to get the summer body you wish you had, think about what you’re eating and drinking. Also, plan ahead so you can make sure you’re meeting the amount of sleep you need.