So
here I am on a Friday after work at my computer. I've mixed up a delicious
blender drink (yes, using the Master of Mixes Strawberry) and am writing this
blog. Definitely not something that
would happen in the middle of February but we are in the middle of a heat wave
here East Coast and this feels right ~ but definitely not routine! So in summer
is it then that we abandon all 'good for you' routines and say, "Routine smoutine,
screw it!"
This is definitely the way things can go. Summer is the time for more
entertaining, vacations, staycations, picnics, barbecues, weddings... anything
but the routine. So the exercise routines, grocery shop 'typical' list, weekend
routines can be thrown right out the window without a second thought. You can then
hear yourself in September say "it was summer & I was so busy, how
could I possibly have gained five pounds? Shouldn't I have lost weight?"
Well, anything is possible especially if your routine goes to smithereens. So
maybe you take a different approach for a few months; mix it up & still have
continued success.
Maybe it's the extra foods you eat or
maybe exercising in 100 degree heat index temps isn't your thing & you just
skip a few days. Where exercise is concerned, getting off the routine even for
a day can derail the best of us. Some ways to circumvent the obstacles is to
view from a different perspective: First approach can be to embrace the 80/20
rule mindfully and with the week as a whole. Say, "I will stay on track
with my healthy eating options, watching
my liquid calorie intake 80% of the week and then feel guilt free the remaining
20% of the week that may include a barbecue or a visit to the beach... you get
my drift. You can't all of a sudden come upon Saturday and go, "Dagnabit,
I wish I behaved after dinner this week, oh well..." Another option is to behave as best as possible and consider
the 1000 calorie a day option for 2 days of the week (referred to as calorie
cycling - see link below). If you stick to your exercise/eating routines for 3
of your days and eating approx. 1000 calories for two, that leaves you the
freedom to enjoy your weekend away with no worries. Studies are showing that
these 2 calorie restricting days can get you out of a dieting plateau & rev
your metabolism. With the abundance of fresh summer veggies and some lean proteins
you can still fill up while eliminating
calories. The key in any scenario is to treat the week as a whole and think
ahead considering all your plans.
Good
luck with your new approach to your routines, have fun, enjoy and see you in
September with no remorse!
