Summer BBQ season is upon us, and while we absolutely love spending time laughing and celebrating the warm weather with our friends and family over amazing food, it can often get in the way of your fitness goals no matter how hard you work out! Abs are made in the kitchen after all! Here are a few ways that you can stay focused on your goals while still enjoying time with your loved ones.
Pick Your Poison
Going to BBQs is often synonymous with refreshing alcoholic drinks. However, these empty calories can quickly stack up if you’re throwing back one too many beers. Swap those out for something more low-calorie, like a vodka soda, or skip it all together! Not only is alcohol dehydrating, but it also slows your body’s ability to burn fat which will put your hard work to waste. Consider water, or if you’re feeling something a little more cocktail-ish, sparkling water with lime (one of our favorites).
Sharing Is Caring
If you’re invited over to someone’s house and you’re unsure if there will be something you can eat, bring a healthy dish to share! That way you know you will have something healthy to eat no matter what, and everyone else can enjoy some, too. Plus, if you make a little extra, your meal prep for the week will already be done… 😉
Make the Swap
If you’ve been really craving a burger, swap the bun for a lettuce wrap, or put it on top of some greens to make a yummy salad. Ask for grilled chicken instead of wings. Trade the pie in for fresh fruit with whipped cream. Even the tiniest of changes can make a big difference in how your body feels.
You can still enjoy all that summer BBQs have to offer without sacrificing your progress in the gym. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself a little, too (cooling off with some ice cream has therapeutic advantages, of course). In the meantime, get yourself into the studio and get your sweat on!
