In Minnesota, the three months of summer whiz by way too quickly. Each weekend is usually packed with ideas on how to expand the joy outside. This includes trips "up north" to the lake, staycation weekends, leaving work earlier on Fridays as well as the usual summer celebrations like graduations, showers, weddings, picnics and parties. We really try to make the most of it, because, after all, we know the other side (six months or more of winter).
While summer brings the farmers' markets and more fresh, affordable, juicy fruit and veggie options plus more physical activity, that is not nearly enough to offset the extra calories that come with all the extra social occasions that pop up.
We have to have a plan to make this summer go well and still enjoy the fun without overdoing the points. For starters, when possible, eat as well as you can when you are at home. Make your meals by taking a short-cut from the grocery store, the salad bar and deli. Bring fruit and cut up veggies for snacks whenever you go out. They are hydrating and easy. Bring lunch to work so that you can avoid running around for extra dollars and calories. You need to save yourself for bigger treats when you are socializing on your own leisure time. If possible, when you go to a party, bring your own food to add to the grill or a healthy green salad that you can fill up on--and even a big watermelon.
These are a few tips I have for making the summer splurges more manageable. The whole point of this is to have fun and enjoy. It will be NO fun and NO enjoyment if you spend the summer getting squeezed out of your shorts and feeling uncomfortable or frustrated. Make time to take care of yourself so that you are planning to succeed at parties, picnics all summer long. That's a win win in the sunshine.
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