Booz Season Is Upon Us/Summer

The Summer (aka booze season) is upon us. There is beer to be drunk and barbecues to go to. The problem is you're trying to live healthy and trade your keg in for a six pac. Do you dare tell your boys you can't have a beer because you're watching your weight? You don't have to commit social suicide to live a healthier life. You can't be the boozefest champ either. You just have to make conscious choices in order to keep your days healthy. In order for proper weight loss and fitness to be constant in your life you have to remember that it has to be a lifestyle change and not just a diet fad.

We all know that alcohol is stored as fat in our body. It also can disrupt your sleeping patterns,slow your recovery time and cause electrolyte imbalances because it is a diuretic. Alcohol can cause a whole lot of other problems but there are to many to name. Consider that when you workout your blood sugar drops naturally if you drink alcohol post-workout your glycogen stores will not be replenished. Your body will be to busy metabolizing the booze and your blood sugar will stay at an unhealthy level.

Despite all the issues most of us will still have a glass or two on the weekend. It doesn't mean you have to go crazy and binge drink on the weekend. You can be healthy and still drink a little and be social. The key is moderation and knowing what not to drink.

What drink do you choose? Here are your best bets from a caloric standpoint:

• Hard alcohol. Most have under 100 calories and limited carbohydrates in there serving size. The trick is not to add all those sugary mixers. Try club soda,water or drink it on the rocks.
• Wine. A serving of wine can pack in about 100 calories. be careful though because most restaurants will pour larger servings than the 5 ounce serving size.
• Beer. Most light beers have limited carbs and cals. Look for brands that have under 100 cals in a 12 ounce serving. If your not counting calories I suggest craft-brewed beers because they don't have additives and use natural ingredients.

*Tip: When drinking alcohol try alternating with water. This will keep you hydrated and help you slow down. This will help keep your consumption down. When your buddy is on drink four or five you will be on one or two.

Tip* Still want to look like your drinking but don't want to explain why your not: Order club soda and garnish it with a lemon or lime.

If you fall off the wagon and wake up in a rose bush with strange pictures in your phone don't use it as an excuse to go into a downward spiral. Your body will remind you of  what you did to it. Use it as a reminder to make better choices in the future and move on.

*The Dietary Guidelines for America recommend that if you choose to drink alcohol you do so only in moderation- up to one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men.

Examples of one drink include:

• Beer: 12 fluid ounces
• Wine: 5 fluid ounces
• Distilled Spirits(80 proof): 1.5 fluid ounces