Tips to Stay Healthy this Summer

Warm weather, sunshine, family, friends, barbeques, pools,  beaches, vacations... who doesn't love summer?  This is also a time where it is easy to fall off the wagon.  Who wants to go to a bbq and not eat?  Or go on vacation and not indulge?  Or get together with friends and not have a couple of drinks?  Not me!  Here are some tips to help you stay on track with a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy all the fun of summer.

1. 80/20 Rule
Healthy eating isn’t about all or nothing. It’s about finding the balance so that you can live a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life. To do that, I live by the 80/20 Rule – eating healthy or clean 80% of the time and allowing myself to splurge 20% of the time. With summer and especially vacations, weddings, and other get-togethers, this is key! To stay on top of my game, I like to plan for when I’m going to have a splurge or treat meal, so the rest of the time I’m eating to plan.

2. Plan Ahead
That leads into my second suggestion, which is planning ahead. If you know you are going to be eating out, take some time to look at the menu online and decide what you want. Having a plan for what you’ll be eating and how you’ll want it prepared will make it easier to stay on track when you get to the restaurant and are eating with everyone else. Be sure to avoid creamy dressings and request dressing on the side, and look for items that are baked, grilled, roasted, steamed, broiled, or dry-sautéed rather than breaded, fried, etc. And, keep proper portions in mind. You can always take the extras home in a box!

3. Pre-Eat & Bring Something Healthy
If you going to a party or another event, make sure to eat ahead of time. Have a shake or another healthy meal or snack on the way, and bring a clean appetizer or snack with you. Eating ahead of time will help you from feeling overly hungry once you get to the party, and if you bring something healthy, you’ll know there will be something there that you can eat without guilt!

4. Drink LOTS of Water
Water during the summer will not only help you stay hydrated, it will also keep you feeling full and reduce any bloat or water weight gain from unsavory food choices. It is very easy to become dehydrated in the summer time especially if you spend a lot of time in pools or other water.  They keep your body cool, and before you realize it, you have gone an entire day without drinking any water.  I aim to drink my weight in ounces every day, and I try to do even more when I’ve had a few splurges.  

These tips are just a few of the ways you can stay on track throughout the summer with all of its vacations and special festivities. But, what I have found that REALLY helps me is having a solid nutrition and fitness plan to follow as well as a support system in place to keep me on track and accountable. Having that structure makes it easier to plan to stay on track, and the added accountability helps me know there are others who are experiencing the same things as I am while trying to be and stay healthy!

Each week I know what my 3 main healthy meals are and I keep healthy snacks around for in betweens.  I have set fitness routine - bootcamp 3 days per week.  My workout partners and instructors hold me accountable and this has been my recipe for success!

What do you think about these simple, straight forward tips?  

Bodynista

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