Staying Healthy for the 4th of July

Good morning and happy July 1st!

I hope you have some fun plans for the long weekend. I am working so....if ya'll wanna come work out let me know! A quick side note: I finally have a website up for my fitness business, but I'm still fixing a few things before it goes live. But, I wanted to give you a heads up that I will be putting my Nutrition Tips on my blog now. I'll still send out the link, but just so you know, in the future you'll get to visit my website. Woohoo!

Well, you know I love the holidays so in honor for 4th of July weekend we're going to talk about that today. How to stay healthy on the 4th of July?

1. A healthy hot dog

Choose a reduced-fat chicken sausage dog Or, a turkey dog Swap the white bread for a whole wheat hot dog bun If, you're low carb, swap out a bun for a piece of lettuce or kale to wrap your dog in Try whole grain mustard instead of the regular Forget Ketchup, it's packed with sodium and sugar Try avocado and fresh tomatoes for a twist **Use these healthy alternatives and your dog will stand out! You'll have the hottest dog on the block.

2. Make your booze healthy....er

When drinking, make sure you always have water on hand. Alcohol will dehydrate you so keeping that water bottle handy is probably the best thing you can do For a mixer: Try using fresh-squeezed 100% fruit juice. It will taste better plus you're getting in some nutrients. Seltzer water is better for you than carbonated water. It has less sodium. Use whole fruit instead of fruit flavorings. You'll get in some fiber and antioxidants. Light alcohol is a better choice than dark alcohol. Dark alcohol can cause worse hangovers because of the congeners it contains.

*Congener: (from an online dictionary) a minor chemical constituent, especially one that gives a distinctive character to a wine or liquor or is responsible for some of its physiological effects.

3. Ex-ne on the Barbecue Belly

Choose lean meats will help you lower your calories Choose the leanest cut of chicken, pork, or beef if you have a choice Or...you can be the person and just cut off the excess fat (Hey, I'd do it!) Watch your portion control Eat a 1/4 burger instead of a 1/2 burger, you wont regret it. An obvious one...fill your plate with mostly grilled vegetables and let the other stuff be your SMALL side dish

4. How to Keep Active

If you're gym is close, this is not an excuse to throw your diet out of the window too And you know me, if you have the day off go for a hike at a new location! Rent a bike if you don't have one and cruise the boardwalk at the beach Play some lawn games! My favorite is Corn Hole or Bocce Ball! Go for a walk or stroll, especially in the evening. You'll have that perfect weather! Standing is much better than sitting. So if you do nothing else that day just remember to stand. You'll burn over 100 calories more per day. If you're at a Fourth of July party...for Pete's Sake....DANCE!!!! Get your groove on, you know you want to!!!! Just 30 minutes of light dancing can burn more calories than sitting or standing.

5. Ditch Dessert

Try to stay away from the dessert table If you must, bring Angel Food Cake to the party as your contribution. It's a much healthier option than other desserts. Fill up on fruits to curb that sweet tooth. In season strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple can be just as yummy, especially on a hot day.

That does it for today! See you all next week. Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July weekend!