With about two-thirds of Americans clinically obese, it’s clear too many people struggle badly with eating the right foods and getting the proper exercise. The good news for San Diegans is that we have the best year-round workout weather. Here’s how you can put it to good use: Take advantage of our beaches.

Wet sand is fairly hard. Dry sand—depending on the beach—can be soft, deep and able to give your joints a nice cushion. If you have a partner, get your favorite flying disc—like an Aerobie Super Disc—and play catch at your favorite beach. Your workout can be "playtime."

The next step is to take things into the water. Time your tosses so that your pal has to dive into the curl of the breaker in order to snatch the disc.

Exercise can be fun.

Photo by Ron Donoho

Next beach game: Smash Ball. Get wooden paddles and a soft rubber ball. Hit the ball back and forth, keeping it from hitting the sand for as long as possible. Your hand-eye coordination will improve, as will your foot work. Stay up on your toes—this is no game for the flat-footed. If you have groups, badminton and volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee are fun games. Keep it moving; standing around is not a workout. But if you’re solo on the beach, soft sand is fantastic for sprints and long-distance runs. The sand really works your calves, so ease into it, especially for long distances.

Ever heard of a Hindu squat or squat jumps? In the soft sand, bend down until your thighs are parallel to the ground. Hold your arms out in front of you, then leap up into the air. Time your breathing so that you are taking a breath in as you jump. With all these exercises—er, fun activities—it's quality over quantity. So slowly go back down and jump straight up like a bullfrog. Don't squat down too deeply, in deference to your knees.

Want abs like a model? Lay on your back in the sand. With legs straight, lift them six inches off the ground. Have your feet go up and down in six inch movements, one after the other. No rush, just do them until you hit "muscle failure," a lovely term that signifies you’ve worked a muscle so hard that it can’t do one more.

Now you can relax, and just soak up some sun while reading a good book (hopefully about proper diet and nutrition).