sourceWeight gain is only in the winter right? The frigid temps and comfort foods seem to be an inevitable combination for adding a few pounds. By spring, most of us are ready for those pounds to go! Spring is all about kicking butt and eating healthy before swimsuit season arrives. Once summer finally gets here, all there is to do is enjoy ourselves.
Well, sort of.
While living it up in the summer is highly encouraged, it’s still easy to go overboard. Summer weight gain is much more common than people think, especially when indulging isn’t just for weekends when the weather is hot; think vacations, cook outs, weddings, BBQ’s, graduation parties, happy hour, ice cream, eating out, etc. It’s tough to resist!
So how can YOU manage to keep the weight off and STILL enjoy yourself this summer? Below I’ve listed 3 ways for YOU to slim down your summer!
source1. EATING OUT. Brandon and I eat out more than usual in the summer months and I think this is true for a lot of people. The local bar is offering $1 beers, appetizers are half off, friends want to go on double dates; all opportunities to consume added fat, calories, and sodium.
- SLIM IT DOWN: I am not here to tell you NOT to take advantage of $1 beer night or meet friends for ice cream, but I DO think you owe it to your waistline to be wise about your choices. We all know by now that you shouldn’t finish your plate at a restaurant… but more times than not, it just happens. Time to make a valiant effort to only eat (less than) HALF of your plate when you are dining out and box up the rest. Also, try to avoid any dishes with the words fried, crispy, crunchy, sautéed, or creamy. Typically, dishes described in such a way are prepared with loads of added oil. If you MUST eat the fettuccine alfredo because it is THE best in town, save it for a special occasion and keep your portions in check! It’s just that simple.
2. FAMILY PARTIES. It’s that time of year again! The seniors are graduating, friends have cleaned off their grills, your best friend is getting married, and fire pits are now ready for some smore action. How the heck are you supposed to watch your waistline when Grandma continues to make her famous potato salad?? Ug. I just can’t say no!!
- SLIM IT DOWN. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again and again; DO NOT GO TO A PARTY HUNGRY. You are not preparing for your last meal, there will be other opportunities to eat a hamburger or hot dog, and you do not have to sample EVERY dessert. No need to “save room.” Show up to the party with a hunger level of about a 5. Try noshing on a small apple with a little nut butter or have a little yogurt and cereal before you leave. Whatever you do, don’t be famished before hitting the buffet line. This will help in resisting that urge to sample everything in sight and prevent wandering back for seconds. Once you are finished eating, find the kids and go play! Not only will you burn a few calories but it will help keep your mind off the potluck goodies and it will be fun!! Can’t beat that!!
3. HAPPY HOUR. In the summer, happy hour could be at any hour. It’s fun to sit outside with your friends, kick back a few drinks, and enjoy the summer breeze. However, alcohol lowers your inhibitions, making it harder to stay away from the appetizers or limit how many beverages consumed.
- SLIM IT DOWN. If you cannot say no to a drink, try to keep it simple. Pass up the dessert-like martinis, daiquiri’s, and margarita’s, which can pack upwards of 500 calories, and opt for a light beer or simple mixed drink instead. Also, try to avoid the free chips and salsa or peanut bowl; calories add up quickly and it’s easy to eat too much! You are much better off grabbing a beer and buying a meal instead (see point #1).
If you are going on vacation this summer and looking for slimming strategies read my 5 Tips for a Healthier Vacation!
Summers are meant to be fun; so relax and unwind…just remember that each event doesn’t have to be a ”free-for-all.” If you spend the summer following these 3 slimming strategies, I guarantee you will keep that banging bod in-shape all summer long!
QUESTION: What are your slimming summer strategies?
[...] you read my post on Monday, you know that even during the summer months, it can still be challenging to lose weight. One [...]
LOVE these tips! I am so glad I found your blog! I also think stocking up on the fruit and salad at cook outs will help save you! Fill up on the good stuff so you don’t want to stock up on the bad! I am always telling myself, you will have another hot dog in your lifetime… you don’t need one now!
i think sometimes we splurge since we try not to eat those things at home!
There are lots of potential summer pitfalls, I posted on this too- we all need help. My fave tip you gave? Play with the kids- it gets you away from the table.
Love these tips, Erin! I’m a perfect example of #1. This past week, I ate out every day. The weather was so nice, and friends wanted to celebrate summer by dining on restaurant patios. While the food was certainly delicious, it definitely left me feeling a bit bloated by the end of the week! I’m trying to squeeze in healthy homemade food before taking off for a trip Thursday (lots more restaurant eating ahead! uggh).
Great tips! ‘Tis the season indeed!!! Thanks Erin.
I love these tips! Since I’m home more during the summer, I tend to eat more. My strategy is to plan my meals and snacks to avoid overeating
The best tip on there is not going to a party hungry!!! I 100% agree!!!
I love your tips Erin!!! You are always so thorough. I LOVE IT! I say to make sure that you drink enough water, wear sunscreen, and get enough sleep. Those three things are sometimes forgotten when we are all outside having fun.
This is funny b/c I just got back from a trip where we ate and drank A LOT! At least half my pics have be drinking something delicious in them. At one point I convinced a waiter to just leave a champagne bottle on my table.
But hey, it is vacation. I pretty much never drink at home and eat like a normal person all the rest of the time. It is hard in summer b/c you just want to sit outside and drink a margarita. Or eat a hot dog at the ball park. Or eat ice cream 4 times per day. Maybe that last one is just me. I like your suggestions to still indulge, but not go overboard. I believe in enjoying the things you love and the special summer foods and experiences…just as long as it isn’t a free for all or excuse to eat everything.
Why do I always need to be reminded NOT to clean my plate at a restaurant. I guess I get caught up in the dining experience. It’s always too much food and it’s so easy to take home half and enjoy it the next day. Thanks for the reminder Erin!
This post is oh-so-true. After my fatty but fun family shindig last weekend, I know the pounds can come on easily. At least summer fruit can sub as a snack or dessert – especially watermelon!
I think I gain more weight during the summer than the winter! The reasons are exactly the reasons you listed in this post
Thanks for the reminder to keep things in check!
It’s funny, I alwasy feel like it is harder to maintain or lose weight in the winter, but summer is not easy. There is so much more time to be social over drinks and food!
Great tips! I think in general, showing more skin makes me want to work harder in the summer time.
I have noticed the drinks are something I need to watch. I love a cold beer in the summer!
Great tips Erin! I definitely fall into the category of over-indulging on barbecues, weddings and fun fruity drinks in the summer. In an effort to stay on track, I try to bring a couple of my fave salads to meals and I drink vodka and water with a splash of lime cordial as my bevie of choice. I like to save my indulgences to the things I absolutely cannot live without!
There are great tips! The one thing that interferes the most for me is all the family parties. Since I have such a large family we have at least one party almost every weekend during the summer. This weekend I have 3 parties! EEK! I usually do pretty good, but sometimes I indulge too much and could do way better!
Great tips Erin! For me if I have more than 1 drink it makes it much harder to make good food choices. I really try to stick to 1 drink when i’m out and surrounded by not so good food choices.
Going to a party hungry is like going to the grocery store hungry. Bad things happen!
Great tips Erin! One of mine is to keep drinking water… in summer, I find it easier to drink water since it’s hotter outside anyway, but doing so also helps to keep me feeling full and less inclined to keep eating.
Great post, Erin! My biggest problem in the summer is my craving for cold stuff; beer and ice cream. I recently found a light beer that I like (yeah!) and a new frozen yogurt recipe, with no added sugars, which I will be making all summer
When I go out to dinner or cookouts, I try to focus more on family and friends, rather than food. It’s hard sometimes, with all the good food everywhere, but when I put my mind to it I can stop when I’m full and satisfied.
These are such good tips! I always try to focus on staying well hydrated in the summer. Somtimes when I am cranky and think I am hungry it is really because I am dehydrated and need water. So I always reach for the water first and the snacks second!