The warm weather is here, and so is my winter weight. Perhaps yours is too? Summer is a time of wearing fewer clothes, being more active, and excess weight being more apparent. I planned on losing weight in the spring, but it just didn't happen, just like most people. You can lose weight in the summer while still having more fun. Here are a few easy ideas.
1) Summer is a time of grilling and barbeques, and eating food often means gaining weight. It certainly is possible to gain weight grilling and eating, but it's also easy to lose weight. The standard regiment of hotdogs and burgers doesn't help, but there are healthy alternatives. I try to grill more seafood, chicken, and I love turkey burgers as well. These are all tasty yet lower fat and calorie alternatives. By the way, skip the chips if you can or at least try some of the reduced fat chips - they taste about the same unlike some horrible low fat substitutes. Fruit salad is always good in the summer.
2) If you are a beach person, be active at the beach instead of just lying on a towel and soaking up the sun. Play Frisbee, go swimming, take a nice walk, play volleyball. Any activity is great, certainly better than just lying there like a beached whale.
3) Summer means more drinking, but there are lower calorie choices. Instead of a sugary soda you may opt for unsweetened ice tea or diet soda, or how about just plain old water perhaps flavored by a slice of lemon or lime? And if you are a beer or wine drinker, try to moderate your consumption as they are full of calories.
4) Take up an old or new activity. For example this summer the kids and I are biking a fair amount. We don't call it work or exercise; it's just a very fun thing to do. I managed 10 miles today just playing around with my 6 and 7 year old on bikes. The calories add up quickly. We've also started fishing which involves quite a bit of walking and hiking. So what are you doing this summer?
5) There should be plenty of local produce available in most areas. Eat it! It's delicious, healthy, and you will eat less unhealthy foods! There are some things I detest when not fresh, like string beans, which absolutely rock when fresh!
It's summer. Losing weight should be easy with just a little effort.
