Summer doesn't have to mean 'going backwards'
I remember when my kids were young… summers were SO fun! We had a pool, and our place was the hangout. Both kids have July birthdays, so you know what that means… birthday pool parties! Also sport 'wind up' parties, 'end of the year class' parties, 'just because' parties… always at our house.
I loved it. Every single loud, messy moment of it.
It also was an excuse to eat crappy and use these pool parties as an excuse not to eat healthily. "oh, I'll get healthy once summer is over'… that's 2 months away!”
Wouldn't it be great to end the summer feeling great? I am not saying you have to 'kill it' all summer; for some of us, just maintaining will be a considerable win… and that's okay!
What is your game plan for the rest of summer? Kids home? Camping, socializing, vacations? How are you planning to handle all of the food situations that will be coming your way?
If you can rock your keto all summer... kudos to you! If you don't think this is a possibility, or you find yourself being faced with temptation, here is an idea for you:
If you haven't tried intermittent fasting before, it has tremendous health benefits and really helps make keto easier in a lot of ways (please look up Dr. Jason Fung on YouTube or get his book 'The Complete Guide to Fasting' by Dr. Jason Fung and Jimmy Moore. There are many ways to do it, but my favorite method for the summer is to eat OMAD (one meal a day). It's not hard once you are fat-adapted, and usually, it's not hard to skip breakfast and lunch. Then come dinner time (which is generally when we are faced with more social situations) you eat… and you eat WELL. This is not the time to skimp on macros or calories.
Tracking your macros isn't really imperative because you probably would not be capable of getting your daily macros in one sitting anyway. The only thing I pay attention to is getting enough protein and keeping my carbs low. Before dinner, I always have one of my Intentionally Bare Protein Drinks. Why? Because breaking a fast with bone broth is the best way to break a fast. The body is infused with collagen and amino acids, it's very easy to digest, is gut healing, and it prepares your body for more food. It also has 20 grams of protein per serving, and I find on OMAD it's a challenge to get in enough protein. 70 grams of protein in one meal is a LOT of meat, fish or whatever form of protein we’re having… so this protein drink really helps.
Another way to do it is just to do 'lazy keto'… you eat keto-friendly foods, watch your carbs but don't track. Many people like this when it's summer or they are on vacay because it feels a lot more free. The only thing I caution you on is it's very easy to just say 'yes' to a potato chip, fry or donut… and then it turns into more. So say 'yes' to all things keto… as much as you like… but no to the foods you wouldn't usually have on keto.
Summer does not need to derail us! I say if we can maintain till September, we're KILLING it!
You got this!
Leta ~ Intentionally Bare
❗️Health information given here is based on public research and is not meant to take the place of your doctor's advice. Always do your own research and discuss it with your health practitioner before trying a new diet, supplement or exercise plan.
