putting on those bathing suits.

But it's worth remembering that exercise and healthy eating go hand and hand.

Nutrition Services answers some questions about the importance of combining fitness with a healthy diet.

1. What is fitness? When you are fit you look and feel your best. You have the strength, flexibility and endurance you need for daily activities.

2. Why is fitness so important? Staying fit helps you maintain a healthy weight and look your best. If you exercise regularly don't stop. If you do not currently exercise, become more active by just moving more.

When you increase your physical activity level or exercise, you gain muscle.

Muscle uses more calories than fat tissues, but takes up less space. Also your leaner body uses extra energy both while you are exercising and for 24 hours afterwards.

3. How does nutrition fuel fitness? Energy for exercise comes either from food or body fat. Even if you want to burn as much body fat as possible, your muscles still need some energy from carbohydrates to get going.

Carbohydrates have to come from food because your body can only store small amounts of this nutrient. The best way to make sure your body has the carbohydrates it needs for exercise is to eat plenty of grain products (bread, cereal, rice and pasta), vegetables, legumes (beans and peas), and fruits.