By Staff
Summertime is coming and we all know what that means! Swimsuits, shorts, tanks and lots of cookouts.
To keep looking good in our summer clothes let's look at some ways to beat the urge to splurge this coming summer.
#1: Watch how much junk food you have in your house. Potato chips, ice cream, and deserts are just a few of the enticing treats you may have in your kitchen. If you have them in your house you are going to eat them so try to limit them or keep them out. If you cannot get rid of them put the snacks in areas that are not visible like a cupboard that is not used that often. Out of sight out of mind is the key.
#2: Don't deprive yourself. Do not give up all of your favorite foods. By doing this you may end up overeating or binge eating. Instead of buying that large bag of chips with 20 servings at 10 grams of fat and 120 calories a serving, buy a single size-serving bag so you can fulfill your cravings but be under control with how much you eat.
#3: Do not go shopping on an empty stomach. All of a sudden you are in the mall starving because you did not eat breakfast and the next thing you know you are scarfing down two of those delicious cinnamon rolls. Keep in mind that these two rolls contain as many calories and fat as some people eat in a regular day.
#4: Be prepared when going out. There are going to be many of those yummy yet fattening summer parties and cookouts to go to and the food temptations will be there. Plan ahead and think about what you will do when you are tempted with all of that food. For example: if there is fruit there maybe you will pass on desert for fruit instead.
#5: Know when you are full and stop eating. Especially at parities the food sits out and people graze. Eating is many times associated with social events. You may not be hungry but everyone else is standing around the food eating and talking so you do too.
#6: Do not worry if you slip up. We are human and no one is perfect. When you have those off days, do not give up; just keep going. Do something active like cleaning the house or going for a walk.
Just remember, do not deprive yourself but eat in moderation. You can eat any food and be OK as long as you do not overdo it. If you do slip up just keep on going and do not come down on yourself. Have a plan before you go out to those yummy summer parties and try to avoid temptation.
Thought of the Week: Failure is an event, never a person. - Willliam D. Brown
Remember to sign your team up for the YMCA Adult Softball League - Deadline May 5.
Amy McKean is the adult programs director at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA. She can be reached at Amckean23@wmconnect.com