Occasionally throughout the long, dark, rainy winter months I will hear someone talk about how anxious they are for summer. The discussion might revolve around how much easier it will be to stay in shape because they can get out and run or bicycle. It stays light much longer, giving people more hours to exercise outside. Not only that, but the motivation to stay in shape is high due to less clothing being worn and the chance of being seen in swimwear.
We just made it through one of our big summer holidays, the Fourth of July. I’m not sure what you did, but at my house, we barbecued! Also, because it was a rare, sunny and warm Fourth of July in the Pacific Northwest, margaritas sounded excellent. Because we often have to wait quite awhile for our summer weather, once it does happen, it feels like we shouldn’t even have to go to work. It’s like we are afraid if we don’t take the time to enjoy the nice weather today, it may be gone tomorrow.
Summer time means weekend barbecues with friends, lounging with an ice cold beer on the deck, and warm weather that can lead to lazy days at the pool. In other words, great food, drinks and less activity. Hopefully you are one of the smart people who use summer to increase your outdoor fitness and eat lighter fare. If you are like me, and you find yourself having a harder time keeping extra weight off, the following tips are for you.
Find out what's happening in Gig Harborwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- Exercise first thing in the morning. For starters, the weather is cooler, making an outdoor run or bike ride more enjoyable. Waiting until later in the day makes it easier to come up with excuses and not exercise at all. By getting your workout in early, you can also feel better if you do indulge a little at those barbecues.
- Choose an event to train for. Ideally, find a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, bike race or triathlon that you can participate in late in the summer or early fall. This will give you an incentive to keep working out.
- Grill grill grill. Usually it’s not the actual grilled food that is bad for you at barbecue parties. It’s the potato salad, the macaroni salad, the cookies, the pies and all the other unhealthy accompaniments. Your grill can be used for delicious and healthy fish, chicken and shrimp, and also for grilled fruits and vegetables! Skewers (shish kebabs) make a beautiful presentation and can be loaded with colorful veggies. I have also grilled pineapple, apples, peaches and mangos. Get creative!
- At parties, load up on healthy options first. Fill your plate with fruit, vegetables and lean meats before opting for the unhealthier sides. Take your time eating, preferably away from the food table. Have a conversation with someone while you enjoy your food. Then, if you are still wanting dessert, take a small piece.
- Avoid empty calories. All right. I’m going to be That Guy. Alcohol has an abundance of empty calories. Some drinking tips I try to follow (notice, I said TRY) are to begin with a glass of water. Make sure you have one glass of water in between each drink. Sip slowly. Only fill your glass halfway.
I hope these five tips will keep you focused throughout the summer. Unlike our winter vacation, this does not end after a week or two. Write down your goals and post them somewhere conspicuous. Allow yourself some flexibility to enjoy some treats, just factor a little extra time in at the gym! Happy summer, everyone!
