Lex Luger - Getting Ready for Summer

Getting Ready for Summer

By Lex Luger

            Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. That means some folks are starting to worry about about a common occurrence here in the south: whale sightings. I'm joking, of course. There are no whales in the south, but there are those of us who feel like whales when we wear a bathing suit, short shorts or a tank top in full view of the public.

            So what do we do when the sultry days of summer sneak up on us and we want to cool off with a little southern exposure? How do we do it without being lampooned? Or worse, harpooned? We plan ahead... starting now.

            Think about it... comfort foods taste even better when rain is pouring and we can't see the sun, or when it's still too cold to lie by the pool or go to the lake. It's easy to order your favorite Chinese dish or pizza or to have too many bowls of ice cream in front of the TV.

Eat the Right Foods Now

          Eat the right foods now so later you can enjoy the fruit of your good choices. And speaking of fruit, let's start there. Looking good in the summer is great incentive for you to satisfy your sweet tooth with fruit instead of ice cream. Do so, and you'll be even more satisfied when you look in the mirror. Watermelon is the premier summer fruit. Half of the word "watermelon" is water-so half is the fruit. Why not hydrate and meet your sweets craving at the same time?

            When the sun is bright, the sky is blue and you move from the oven to the grill, put on lean meats and fish. I like chicken, tilapia and salmon with various seasonings. Keep the side dishes light so your side handles stay light too. I love potato salad as much as the next guy, but when it's buried in mayonnaise, you are asking for trouble. Cole slaw is a good alternative, but ingredients can get out of hand there too.

You can't go wrong with corn on the cob, but you can go wrong with too much butter. Spray butter, particularly the "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" version, will seep its way in between the kernels, going places where squeeze butter and a whole pat of butter can't. (If you're thinking pat, think fat.)

Leverage the summer heat to try fresh foods that previously came a distant second to fast food.   If you still have to make convenience a priority, get a salad on your next drive thru visit. To me, cool, crisp, fresh lettuce tastes better in the summer. Be sure to use a light dressing such as balsamic vinaigrette or light ranch. Like potato salad, a fresh salad is no good if you bury it in dressing laden with fat.

Be Sure to Hydrate

In commercials, sports drinks look like the perfect summertime beverage, but all that sugar won't make you look good in a bathing suit. The only "ade" you really need is water, and summers are a great time to make increased daily water consumption a habit. If your taste buds are bored, add low calorie flavor packets. Plenty of water leads to good hydration. It also keeps you from eating when you're not actually hungry. Remember, you're body is already dehydrated before you actually feel thirsty. So increase your water consumption and watch the pounds drop.

Block the Sun, But Not the Son

Finally, wear sun block, but not Son block. As you work to improve your look on the outside, don't neglect who you are in Christ on the inside. It's easy to block out your relationship with Jesus amidst the many activities that come with warmer temperatures. Stay cool. Don't become a "beached whale" in your spiritual walk. Like eating well, it too has a positive impact on how you feel in your own skin.