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The secret weapon that will boost your health ahead of the summer months

Yes, getting and staying fit may involve workouts, green smoothies and meal prepping, but there's another secret ingredient we're forgetting.
/ Source: TODAY

Yes, getting and staying fit may involve workouts, green smoothies and meal prepping. But there’s another secret ingredient that’s proven to increase success — your group of friends!

Incorporating fitness into your social life makes staying in shape effortless, and it removes the tempting decision to skip your workout when you're tired or not in the mood.

Karena and I have experienced the power of social fitness firsthand. If it weren’t for our weekly yoga dates and morning gym meetups, we’d be less consistent. And when it comes to staying healthy, consistency is one of the most important factors!

Today we’re outlining three steps to harness the power of friendship in order to help you get and stay fit!

1. Transform get-togethers.

Staying fit
Yes, getting and staying fit involves workouts, green smoothies and meal prepping... but there's another secret ingredient that's proven to increase success. It's your group of friends! Incorporating fitness into your social life makes staying fit effortless -- and it removes the tempting decision to skip your workout when tired or not in the mood.Tone It Up

You see your friends anyway, so why not turn happy hour into fitness hour? Squeezing activities into your hangouts is pretty simple. Try a new class together and then have coffee or lunch afterward!

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Walk to happy hour and dinner, plan group hikes or volleyball games on the weekends and catch up over weekly walking dates.

2. Get an accountability buddy.

Karena and Katrina work out together to hold one another accountable for workouts
Tone It Up

This is your go-to pal with similar goals who will keep you accountable — and you’ll do the same for her! Enlist a close friend, find someone at the gym, local yoga studio or connect with a nearby Tone It Up girl; ask them to be your workout partner and cheerleader as you get ready for summer together!

RELATED: 3 new fitness trends to nix boredom and spice up your workout

It’s really fun to cook together, try new fitness classes and share tips and insights with each other. Simply make weekly workout dates together to ensure you both stay on track.

3. Use social media.

Katrina uses social media to keep track of her fitness goals
Tone It Up

We have the luxury of living in a world where we can instantly connect with others any time we choose. Social media unites us to keep everyone inspired and motivated!

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We encourage our community to post a photo or status update after a completed workout with the hashtag #TIUTeam to keep everyone excited for fitness! There’s nothing like seeing thousands of women waking up early to squeeze in a sweat session to get us to do the same!

Karena Dawn and Katrina Scott are the founders of Tone It Up — a fitness and lifestyle brand. They are certified personal trainers, nutritional coaches, and best friends. Karena and Katrina have taken the world by storm with their fun, quirky and energetic approach to fitness and have built a vibrant community based around friendship, accountability, motivation, and inspiration.