Holiday weekends can mean parties…which means lots of food and drinking and not a lot of exercise. BUT, that does not HAVE to be the case. Make a plan, know your weaknesses and plan accordingly.
Choose your foods wisely:
- Veggies such as asparagus, zucchini, corn, peppers, onions, and portobello mushrooms are great grilling choices to have on their own, as a side dish, or part of a kebab, instead of red meats, which are high in fat.
- If you want meat-based protein, chose leaner ones like chicken breast, bison burgers, salmon, tuna, or shrimp as alternatives to meats with higher saturated fat content.
- Fruits cooked on the grill add sweetness to any meal and complement most proteins. Try cutting up pineapple, mango, or peaches and grilling them for a few minutes on each side .
Pass on the chips and dip. High calorie snacks like chips and dip can add 300 calories or more to your daily total. Instead, bring your own low calorie summer snack foods, including:
- Fresh fruit such as watermelon, grapes or strawberries
- Skinny Broccoli Salad
- Cucumber/cherry tomatoes and tzatziki sauce
Get Moving:
- If you plan on indulging, be sure to plan more physical activities so you can balance the amount of calories you eat with number of calories you burn off.
- Go swimming plan water games at a local pool.
- Try riding your bike or walking to your labor day destination.
- Look into local races such as a 5K. Many towns and organizations host runs on Holidays.