Working out at the gym or going for a dip at the beach shouldn't mean losing your identity or peace of mind.

But that's just what happens to people who leave their wallets, pocketbooks and electronic equipment in their cars or on a beach towel.

"You don't have to take your entire life in a beach bag," Marblehead police Lt. Dave Millett said.

Instead, think ahead: Bring a few checks rather than your whole checkbook, or just one credit card instead of all of them.

"You're not going to use all six credit cards at one time," Millett said.

The most important step is to make sure nothing of value is visible when you're not around. An even better move is to place those valuable items in the trunk before you arrive at the beach or gym parking lot.

"If you do that before you get to your destination, that's not going to be an advertisement to someone that that's where my stuff is," Millett said.

Millett said not to try the "under the blanket" trick. "That doesn't work anymore," he said.

Danvers police Chief Neil Ouellette suggests getting a fanny pack to keep your wallet in and either wear it while working out or hang it on an exercise machine.

Keeping credit cards out of thieves' hands is important since the cards can be used before victims realize they were stolen.

For your electronics, jot down the equipment's serial numbers somewhere secure so you'll have information to give to police if the items are ever stolen. If possible, have your driver's license number — not your Social Security number — etched somewhere on the device.

With these steps, when stolen items are recovered, police can track down owners and build a case against the culprit.