How to Be Healthy Over the Holiday Weekend

Hi! How is your week going so far? Are you getting excited for the 4th of July? With our 3-day weekend coming up, there are going to be plenty of parties, barbecues and get-togethers. Are you wanting to avoid the fattening party foods without feeling deprived? Here are some suggestions for eating well and having fun during this weekend’s celebrations.

(source)

How to Be Healthy this 4th of July Weekend

(source)

1. Set a game plan. The number one way to stick to healthy habits is to write down your game plan ahead of time. This Thursday or Friday take out your note pad and write down your workouts for the weekend and when you are going to do them. I’m planning on going on a long run Saturday morning, the gym Sunday morning and meeting up with my friend for a run Monday morning.

Now that our workouts are planned, let’s plan out our meals and pack some healthy snacks. Write down healthy meals and snack ideas. If you feel overwhelmed and tempted to stray off track at a party, whip out your list of healthy meal plans and stick to it.

(source)

2.  Pack as much as you can. (No, not clothes, healthy foods!) If you are going to be traveling or staying away from home, pack a few easy to prepare breakfasts and snacks. You most likely will be at parties for lunch and/or dinners so breakfast items and snacks are the foods that you should focus on packing. Packets of instant oatmeal, fresh fruit, and greek yogurt are all healthy options for breakfast. Some healthy snack ideas include: baby carrots, sugar snap peas, grape tomatoes, raw almonds, Larabars, ThinkThin bars, Purebars, apples, and grapes.

3. Bring Your Own “____” No, not “beer,” salad! This is the easiest way to make sure that the party you are going to will have a healthy vegetable option. Check with the host or hostess first to make sure that it’s okay with them for you to bring a salad. Then, make a large, salad full of fresh greens and lots of raw vegetables. Even if there are no other healthy food options at the party, at least you can eat a lot of your salad.

(source)

4. Keep it lean and green. When selecting foods to eat at your gatherings, remember the mantra “lean and green.” Load up most of your plate with green vegetables: lettuce, fresh greens, zucchini, broccoli, etc. Then choose a little lean protein: chicken, fish, quinoa, beans, etc. By sticking with light foods, it will give you a little more wiggle room to enjoy a drink or slice of pie.

(source)

5. If you indulge yourself, NBD (no big deal!) Being too strict and rigid with your diet and exercise over a holiday weekend can make you a party-pooper. Celebrations are about relaxing, coming together with your family and friends and having fun. Go ahead and enjoy a a cocktail or a slice of your mom’s famous chocolate cake. What you don’t want to do is feel guilty and end up overindulging. Fill up on your healthy meals and snacks and leave that last 10% of your eats for fun foods that you want enjoy.

(source)

6. Focus on what’s important. Barbecues, bonfires and block-parties feature great tasting food. But instead of staying focused on the food, think about the other reasons why these get-togethers are so much fun: the company! Keep yourself busy catching up with friends and loved ones. Learn about what’s new and exciting in their lives and give them your full attention. By working the crowd, you will be less likely to dish up a second hamburger or veggie burger. Be thankful that everyone can get together and celebrate this patriotic holiday.

I hope that these help you stay healthy and feeling great this holiday weekend. What are your favorite tips for staying active and eating healthy during holiday celebrations?