Stay on Track This Summer
Professional Health & Fitness Solutions
Staying on the Wagon
Barbeques, vacations, kids at home....just a few of the things that can make eating healthy a challenge over the summertime. To help you stay "on the wagon", here are a few tips...
Tip #1 - Always Bring a Healthy Dish...
Even if the event is not "pot-luck" style, always bring a healthy dish to "share". This way, you know that there is at least ONE healthy option on the table!! The FLT Book has some great "pot-luck" style recipes. Two of my favorietes are the Jicama Orange Salad & the Black Bean Salad. Come to the APEX Healthy Cooking Class/Pampered Chef Party on July 17th to learn more FLT - Friendly Summer Recipes.
Tip #2 - Eat Before Going Out...
One of the best ways to make sure you don't over-eat or indulge yourself in "naughty" backyard barbeque treats is to eat something healthy at home before leaving. If you're already full, you're much less likely to be tempted by that pan of brownies!!
Tip #3 - Keep it Simple...
Summertime is a busy time for everyone. When you're really busy, it's best to simplify your food choices....don't try to get too fancy. One of my favorite "lunches" is slices of shaved turkey breast rolled up with a slice of low-fat cheddar cheese and spinach and a piece of fruit. Open a can of garbanzo beans - rinse them well and put them in a ziploc container; munch on them throuhout the day. Cut up some tomatoes, zucchini, and broccoli, add some balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese, and VOILA! Keeping it simple makes it easy for you to know if you've gotten your servings in for the day.
Tip #4 - Don't Skip Your Workout...
In the summertime, many people try to "replace" their daily workout with what I call "activities"....things like golf, golf, and hmmmm let's see....golf. :) While walking the course is good for you (even better if you carry your bag), it can't replace the calorie burning and cardio effects of a good solid heart-pumping workout. With all those barbeques you'll be attending throughout the summer, you'll want to burn as many calories as you can! So, add in the activity, but don't subtract the workout!
Tip # 5 - Skip the Booze...
With summertime, out come the cocktails!! If you want to stay on track, follow this simple rule....DRINK WATER! At the risk of sounding like an after-school special, you don't need to drink to have fun. :o) You will save yourself calories and you will be more likely to absorb the nutrients in all the healty food you're eating! So skip the beer, the Mike's Hard Lemonade, or whatever your signature drink might be and sip on a bottle of water instead. If you feel that the peer pressure is just too strong, empty out a nice dark beer bottle, fill it up with water and drink away...feel free to add some drunken slurs for effect...no one will be the wiser.
Tip #6 - Moderation...
You've heard it before...."Everything in Moderation". The same can apply to summer barbeques - if you attend one barbeque over the entire summer, having a bun on your burger and some of the potato salad is not going to kill you. But, let's be realistic - who only goes to one barbeque in the summer?! As barbeque season gets into full-swing, first you should re-evaluate your goals. Is your goal weight loss or are you in maintenance mode? If your goal is weight loss, than be very careful using the "moderation" concept. It is very easy to "moderate" yourself right out of those skinny jeans you can finally wear again. If you are in maintenance mode, then moderation can work for you. Don't go overboard, but have a little bit of those "favorites" on a few occassions, and then.... see Tip # 4 above!
