I had a plan at the beginning of summer. As soon as classes ended, my plan was to bike ride like mad everyday and eat *only* grilled veggies, lean meats (also grilled), whole grains, and fruits.
What I found out?
1) Too hot to exercise outside and too many bugs. My comfort-loving self preferred to stay indoors unmarked by mosquito bites.
2) Grilled foods taste great with delectable little sauces that are high in fat, calories and sugar. Don’t ya know?
3) Did I mention the heat? I spent most of my summer feeling absolutely famished after a day out doors. Sweaty wasn’t a good look on me.
4) Daylight Savings time baby! Who can go to bed at a normal time when it’s still light out by 9-10 in the evening? Good thing I don’t live in Alaska. Even though *I* went to bed late… the kids got up with the chickens. Making me — one tired momma.
5) Vacations. Who wants to diet on vacation?
What I should have done:
1) Got out and exercised first thing in the morning or in the early evening. And invested in some good insect repellent. I wouldn’t have been as hot and the bugs would stay away with the insect spray!
2) Found low-fat / low-calorie recipes for sauces if I absolutely had to have them OR left them off the menu and enjoyed the natural taste of grilled food.
3) Kept myself well-hydrated. Keeping yourself well-hydrated makes you feel less-tired and helps control your body’s temperature better.
4) Went to bed at a decent time. Just because it is daylight savings time — doesn’t mean that I need to be a night owl. I could have bought a sleep mask or darker curtains for the bedroom if need-be. Getting 8 hours of sleep leaves us feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day! 
5) Vacation is a good time to try new things. But those things should be “in moderation”. Even though a vacation is vastly unplanned (at least mine are), it is always good to stock up on snacks. It is also a good idea to plan meals or scout out restaurant menus with healthy options and plan what you will eat ahead of time.
The summer is not over yet! We still have time to turn our summer excuses in for summer solutions!
I can relate- part of me is really disappointed with everything from this summer…but I’m trying to remember that there is still plenty of sunshine left
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My summer has been horrible from a weight perspective. Sigh. And it is almost over since my teen goes back to school in just over a week. But the heat will last for a while, unfortunately.
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K Reply:
August 10th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
You can do it Karen! We have some summer left over and the fall to make up for it!
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But you can SWIM in the summer which is cooling and excellent exercise. you can have sandwiches with whole grain bread and lean cuts of meat . . . mmmmmmm . . . .you have an excuse (the heat) not to cook at all!
Most people tend to pack on the pounds in the winter. I’ve got to find good ways to move once it’s too cold to jump in the water!
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K Reply:
August 10th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
You can swim if you are near water or have a gym membership that provides a pool. Neither is an option. The lake is too far from where I am at to call it convenient and I do not have a gym membership at the moment.
But you are right… all things are possible.
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The heat and ice cream in the summer really kills me. Even exercising indoors bothers me because it’s already so hot..ya know?
Yep…it’s tough!
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It’s so funny. Since it’s winter down here in the southern hemisphere, I’m sitting around thinking of all the things I could/would be doing if only the weather was warmer and days were longer. “It’s so hard to workout when it’s dark out anytime I’m not at work!” and “I’d do some yoga if the apartment wasn’t so cold I need a thick blanket to stop shivering!” (our apartment is a converted warehouse – cement on glass. They don’t really have any insulation or central heating here!)
I guess all we can do is try to make the most of what we’ve got when we got it. When the hazy days of summer roll around, I’m going to try to remember lots of ice water and surf trips whenever I can. In the meantime, where’s that thick blanket…?
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Thanks for that info, have been looking a few days due to this.
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