8 Ways to Avoid Warm Weather Weight Gain

Vacations. Barbecues. Weekends at the lake or beach. Spring and summer are meant to be savored and those warm weather foods are just waiting to be enjoyed. By all means, have a burger, a cold beer, or a slice of key lime pie. You’re more likely to stay on track when you eat your favorite foods. It’s the quantity and frequency that matters most when you’re following a diet or healthy-eating lifestyle. Want to know how to avoid gaining weight in the warmer months? The bottom line is to avoid going overboard.

Check out these eight simple tips to avoid that warm weather weight gain:

1. Drink This Instead:

You’re headed on a girls’ weekend, and your best friend is bringing her famous margaritas. If you tell your BFF about your weight-loss commitment beforehand and ask for her support, you’re more likely to have just one margarita and avoid weight gain. After you’ve had your margarita, mix up another “special” drink like sparkling water with fresh lime and mint. You’ll still feel like you’re indulging and you’ll have avoided the 400+ calories that accompany the average ‘rita.

2. Headed to Happy Hour?

Are all your coworkers headed to that rooftop restaurant after work? Tell them you’ll meet them after you fit in a quick walk or workout. You could even invite your crew to workout with you to help avoid weight gain. If you do end up at the restaurant, don’t partake in the greasy appetizers and order your own meal instead: Grilled salmon with veggies. Stick to the one-drink rule.

3. Fair Fare:

Food festivals are a delicious part of warm weather. If you’re sure you can say no to those deep-fried temptations, go to the fair and seek out the foods you can enjoy, guilt-free: Roasted peanuts, smoked chicken or homemade jerky. Be sure to walk an extra lap or two around the fairgrounds for some exercise.

4. Make a Trade:

It’s usually pretty easy to lighten up a heavy recipe. Use zucchini noodles or cauliflower pasta, olive oil, herbs and lemon juice to make pasta salad. Try sweet potatoes, turnips and Greek yogurt in potato salad. Use lean ground beef for burgers and skip the bun. You can even make your own milkshake by using protein powder, ice and whole milk. Add a little peanut butter for extra flavor and protein.

5. Sweet Surrender:

Is dessert your downfall? Berries are your friend. Lucky for you, warm weather accompanies peak berry season. Trade that lemon meringue pie for some fresh strawberries or blueberries. Offer to bring “dessert” to that barbecue and make a berry fruit salad. Don’t forget smoothies. Add fresh spinach or kale to your shake and you’ll fulfill a vegetable serving while you satiate your sweet tooth. Berries are considered an Extra on South Beach Diet, so be sure to stick to the recommended serving sizes in our Grocery Guide.

6. Saturday Staple:

Find a great farmers market. Or two. Or three. These food festivals are a dieter’s dream and the perfect place to stock up on fresh eggs, cheeses, veggies, fruits and herbs—often for far less than you’d pay at the supermarket. Buy farm-fresh ingredients you’ve never cooked with and create a new, healthy meal for your family. The vendors are often great resources for healthy recipes and seasonal inspiration.

Use our Spring and Summer Produce Guide to help you find the freshest fruits and veggies at your local farmers market!

7. Green Thumb?

Have some empty space in the backyard? Consider growing your own veggies. You’ll get a great exercise preparing, planting and tending to your garden and with any luck, you’ll be rewarded with your own fresh vegetables all throughout the summer. Not sure where to start? Visit your local nursery and ask for some help or find out if they offer seminars. Better yet, download an audio book on gardening and work out while you listen.

Still not convinced? Check out these Six Reasons to Start a Garden at Home! >

8. Go, Go, Go.

Warm weather means more opportunities to get outside and start an exercise regimen. Go for an evening bike ride with your family before the sun goes down. Block out time on your calendar to walk at work and take the appointment as seriously as you would a meeting with your boss. When you’re on vacation, it’s especially important to remember your routine. Take an hour-long walk on the beach, rent a paddleboat or kayak, or start your day with morning run.

Beat the summertime heat with these Five Tips for Hot Weather Exercise! >