Mmm: Stay Slim Tips this Holiday Weekend

Woohoo, long holiday weekend on the horizon! That means fun in the sun and... lots of great food! Just because it's a holiday though, doesn't mean your body takes a break from counting those calories! I wish! As a Weight Watcher lifetime member (woot woot!), I know there are tips and tricks to getting by without going crazy. Here's just a few to keep in mind:

1. Remember that this meal, and this weekend, will not be your last one! You don't have to eat everything in sight. If I'm really watching myself I sometimes won't have one bite of the danger items because I know I don't have the self control to have just the one bite. But hey, maybe you're stronger willed than I am...

2. Heading to a BBQ? Beware! Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken kebabs, fish or lean steaks. Don't assume turkey burgers are lower in fat than regular beef ones, and totally offer to bring your own meat if the host if welcome to it. Then, you can bring your fav lean protein, or even Boca burgers! And, throw veggies on the grill. Corn on the cob, onions, mushrooms, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes... it's all yummy! Just put a dash of olive oil, salt and pepper on first and you're good to go.

3. Need something to munch on? Head to the veggie platter, dipped in hummus if it's there. If you're craving chips, seek out popchips. I wrote about them in a previous post. They're super crunchy and delicious and way lower in fat and calories than other brands... and have more flavor than the baked iterations.

4. Avoid mindless eating. It's easy to pop a few cheese cubes without even realizing, but trust me that your body will still tack on an a cool 200 or so calories. What a waste! That's a candy bar worth and you wasted it on cheese cubes! Look for fruit, veggies, low fat pop corn, chips and pretzels.

5. Watch out for those creamy sides. Potato and macaroni salads might have the word 'salad' but they're anything but healthy. Same goes for the coleslaw. Made with fatty mayonnaise, those puppies are laden with fat and calories. Go for field greens, pickles and other lower-cal options. If you eat these first, you'll be less likely to eat as much of the bad stuff.

6. Don't drink your calories! This is one of my favorite expressions. You can indulge in drinks, but don't waste 400+ calories on one of those creamy frozen ones. Opt for wine, light beer and cocktails with diet soda or low-sugar juices. Vodka paired with Fresca or LS Cranberry and a lime? Yes, please! And, some beers have 60 or so calories now. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water during the day if you're outside. Not only will it keep you hydrated, it will also fill you up.

7. Start moving! It's still gorgeous out in most parts of the country so take advantage and get a game of volleyball, Frisbee or bocce ball going, swim in the pool (or just do some leg moves while hanging on the side)  or take a sunset walk. My motto is, any movement is better than none at all!

8. And, last, but not least... if you mess up, don't give up! Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle is a lifetime commitment. I'm sure I've messed up all of these at some point but I've lost 35 lbs and I'll be damned if they all come back!