Some tips for slimming down by summer?

Contrary to what most people think, you do not have to work out for hours each day. Your body doesn't actually begin burning fat until about 10-15 minutes of exercise due to the heart rate being raised and stimulating weight loss. The body stops burning fat at about 30 minutes, so anything after that isn't "wasted" but it slowly stops burning. You don't have to kill yourself every day at the gym. I would say go for 30 minutes, 45 if you feel up to it. Most dieticians recommend 20 minutes minimum. You cutting out soda will help a lot. WATER, WATER, WATER! Counting calories helps a lot. It helped me go from 300 lbs to 134.