Summer is finally here! Summers for us are pretty much non-stop barbecues, graduation parties and parties in general. It can become difficult to stay on track and stay focused on your health and fitness goals. So how do you keep making progress without completely isolating yourself and missing all the events? Take a look at some of our strategies below!
1. Plan your meals around the event.
Planning is so essential when it comes to maintaining longterm success with your health and fitness goals. Planning your meals around a big party or event can you help you so much in the long-run especially when it becomes habit. Before we get to what we do that works, I want address one of the biggest mistakes people make when planning their meals around a big event. While in your head, it may make sense to not eat anything prior to the event, its actually one of the worst things you can do. Why? By the time you get to wherever you’re going you will be so hungry that it will be an all you can eat free for all.
If we are going to a barbecue, party, etc. I always make sure to eat my usual breakfast and depending on the start time, a light to moderate lunch as well. I like to do this because when I get to wherever we’re going I won’t be starving and I’ll usually pass up on most appetizers and wait for the main dish to be served. This is one of the main ways I keep myself on track and making progress over the summer.
2. Offer to bring something!
No matter what the occasion, I always offer to bring a dish of my own. Bringing your own dish can help ensure that there will be something there on the healthier side that you can eat without worrying. I know that when I host an event I love when people offer to bring something because its less of a hassle for me, I’m sure your hosts will feel the same!
3. Barbecues can be really healthy, if you’re smart with your food choices.
Summer barbecues are actually one of the easiest social events to navigate. They’re super easy to navigate because its usually some form of grilled meat or seafood, you won’t have to worry about any added fat in cooking. There is also usually tons of cooked vegetables, like corn (which can be healthy as long as you don’t douse it in butter). If you’re someone who really likes hamburgers, consider skipping the bun and just eating the burger. There are always ways to be smarter with your food choices.
While staying on track over the summer may seem like an impossible task, it is really essential to keep making progress with your health and fitness goals. Following these three steps may seem simple, but I promise they will be effective especially when they become a habit. What do you like to do to keep yourself on track over the summer? Let us know in the comments below!
That’s true that if you bring a dish of your own that’s healthy, it will give you something to fall back on. I love summertime foods, especially all the grilled veggies!
Me too!
I am always on track – not that I have a diet plan or whatever. I just live healthy and know how to handle myself and I am super thankful for that! My advice to people who are trying to live healthier and they have parties to attend this summer – bring a dish YOU WOULD EAT. Then serve yourself up some before anyone else can so you at least get your fill 😉
Exactly, just like my bring your own dish point – it really does help!
I find planning meals to be so helpful especially during summer when all you want to do is take a nap! LOL
Meal planning is always essential!
These are some good ideas. I should probably watch it during the summer, but I can’t pass up things like potato salad and meats.
It is easy to get carried away with our food choices during the summer!
Eating before an event is a super smart idea. I am definitely one of those people who will graze on snacks until the main is done . . . not so great when you’re trying to stay fit or lose weight!
Exactly!
These are some great tips – it can be so easy to go off track at different times of years. I am loving the idea of healthy bbqs something you could throw to bring everyone together as well.
It really is!
I actually prefer BBQ’s when I’m trying to eat healthier. It’s one of the best ways to keep low to no carbs!
There are so much healthy veggies and meats!
Totally agree with a healthy version of BBQ. I’ve read some posts about different types of healthy foods you can combine and it works quite well.
It does, I agree!
Really useful tips .Especially for me who loves food that too in barbecues. Next time I will definitely keep these tips in my mind before attacking my plate.
Awesome!
i love BBQ – especially using healthier food choices, i agree planning is essential
It really is!
Bringing your own food is a brilliant idea. Also, I’m in love with grilled shrimp recently. Delicious and healthy!
Grilled shrimp is the best!
Such a useful tips and I love the idea to eat before going to the event or to bring your own dish to make it sure that you are going to eat a healthy food.
Exactly, it really does make it the easiest!
Planning the meal is a wise move, and helps us save for time and money as well. And we maintain our lifestyle.
Exactly!
What a nice post! I like these tips, they’re very helpful. I hope you had a nice 4th of July! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you! I hope you did as well!
If you want to stay on track you definitely need to make sure you plan around large events. Easier in the summer but will get harder in winter. But good motivation here nevertheless.
Definitely harder in the winter for sure! Stay tuned, when seasonally appropriate I’ll post about how to best stay on track.
These are great tips for summer barbeques. I find meal planning to be most effective, especially bringing a dish you would want to eat!
Exactly, bringing your own dish is really key!
I am eating differently now and I am finding out this summer alone I have to be careful with my options as now I no longer eat meat. I can also try to offer to bring food too to contribute.
Bringing your own dish is a great way to ensure that there will be something there that you can eat that fits what you’re currently eating
Really need to plan our my meals well especially with all the travels lined up. Thanks for the motivation.
It can definitely be tricky to stay on top of always tracking and planning, keep it up!