Summertime is when life becomes an endless span of cookouts, parties and vacations. It’s also the time of year when it’s harder to stay on track with your nutrition because the food choices aren’t always the best for us. Do you sit out on summer and all of the things that make it fun? Heck no! With these three tips to surviving the summer season, you will learn how to focus on how to be flexible and practice moderation to stay right on target.

Stay Hydrated!

Water is an important part of healthy living, and a lot of times water intake isn’t taken as seriously as it should be. Staying hydrated helps to maintain our system’s functions, including heart, brain and muscles. Fluids are what carry nutrients and flushes bacteria. Not to mention they help our skin keep its healthy glow.

If you don’t drink enough your body becomes dehydrated, which makes you retain water, and it gives you the feeling of being bloated and uncomfortable. Water retention can also cause your body to hold onto fat. It does this when the liver, which converts fat into useable energy, has to do the work of the kidneys (which are overwhelmed with concentrated fluids) and cannot perform its own job.

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Watch Those Portions

Don’t fear cookout foods. We’re not living a life of deprivation, so let yourself enjoy your food! Just remember, moderation and portion sizes are key. If you know your portion sizes, you can stay on track with your macros for the day.

Can’t properly portion out your foods at that pool party? Use your hands!

1. A fist is a cup serving of vegetables (raw).

2. Your thumb is roughly two tablespoons, or a serving of peanut butter/fats

3. A cupped palm is a half-cup of cooked fruit, vegetables, beans or starch.

4. Your thumbnail is a teaspoon, or a serving of butter. The palm of your hand is roughly three ounces of cooked meat, poultry or fish.1

Get Moving

Get out and take advantage of the weather! Grab a racket and play some badminton at that party, volleyball at the family cookout, or a game of wiffle ball with makeshift bases. Have some fun, and get those muscles moving.

Take your workouts outside. Enjoy those long days and warmer nights. Hit up that local park and dip, pull and push your way through a fresh air workout on a jungle gym. Bring a friend and make it even more fun.

Don’t let the summer season leave you wondering how you’re going to stay on track with your flexible and fit Jessie’s Girls lifestyle – Jessie’s Girls are all about living it up and enjoying food with your family and friends while sticking to your goals! Following these tips will help you stay on track with your goals, and be able to enjoy all of the great things that we associate with these beautiful summer days.

Human Performance Resource Center, How to Gauge Food Portion Sizes