Fight the Bulge During Those Backyard Barbeques

By Donna Stark

I love it when people refer to this time of year as “summer holiday.” It’s the only season that, in its entirety, gets to be called a holiday even though other seasons have more actual holidays in them. But it’s nice because it helps to set a tone that reminds us all to relax, play, and eat with one another. It is famous for its backyard picnics, day trips to the beach, and late-night swim parties. The days are longer and the laughter is louder, and in addition to a great time to be had with loved ones, it would not be complete without its good old barbeque standbys. Unsurprisingly though, this means that you can easily eat and drink a lot more than you expected to.

Overindulgence is Fine … Just not Every Day

It’s easy to get into the “it’s summer” mentality, but let’s be real. Summertime has a lot of days, and if those days are filled with empty-calorie food choices, your body will definitely start to notice. Now don’t panic … that doesn’t mean you need to stick to a diet of crackers and water while everyone else is licking the barbeque sauce off of their fingers. Heck no! But it does mean that you should be careful about eating over a day’s worth of calories in one sitting. Here are some tips on how to keep fit and eat with intention.

• Pre-barbeque workout - No matter how busy you are preparing for your barbeque, try to stick to your fitness routine as much as possible. Get your workout in earlier in the day, or at the very least, do a mini-version of it before the guests arrive. Think of it as a way to prepare for an evening of food, alcohol, and fun.
• Snack before you go - Heading out to another picnic or party? Instead of mindlessly eating around the horseshoe pits and cornhole games, grab a healthy snack and drink some water before you leave. And while you are at it, pack some of your healthy snack into a bag and take it with you!
• Plate with wise choices - Remember, it’s OK to throw some ribs, brats, and potato salad onto your plate but don’t forget about the green salads, veggies, and fruit too! Try to fill your plate with more of the good stuff and leave just enough room for a few bites of the others.
• Watch your alcohol - There’s nothing wrong with grabbing a few beers or drinks, but you do want to watch the number of empty calories you consume by doing so. You can do this by choosing low-calorie options and by drinking a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage.

Summertime Fitness

Staying fit during the months-long summer holiday isn’t impossible and can be achieved with some intentional planning and eating. So head on out to those fun times with your loved ones. Have a great summer and stay safe!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Franklin, Tenn.