COLORADO SPRINGS -

Ahead of those 4th of July BBQs or picnics this summer if they are one of the times you simply go for it, then enjoy. However if a new healthy lifestyle is important to you these special occasions can often derail your new routine.

Brent Hagedorn is a weight loss coach and trainer with Metabolic Research Center in Colorado Springs who says eating healthy at a special occasion like a 4th of July BBQ boils down to planning ahead and applying a few simple strategies.

Eating something before you go or having a bit of water is key, so you're more full before you get there. Then you're more in control when it comes to making choice. If you show up hungry and then everything looks so good, its hard to say no and its easy to get carried away. Also visualizing your success ahead of time, and what its going to look like as in what you want to do, so visualize yourself saying no thank you to unhealthy choices."

Another strategy is to bring something healthy with you, like a veggie tray or fruit salad and that way you are sure to have a good choice in front of you.

Brent says, "Bring something along with you. We have a ton of amazing recipes on Pinterest and our website that you can take to these different parties and events and nobody's going to know that it's super healthy for you, they taste that good."

Finally above all else Brent says focus on hydrating before the BBQ, for a couple of reasons. "Water water water, I preach a lot about water intake, especially if you are going to be drinking. Drinking alcohol can dehydrate you so you need at least double your ounces of water for the alcohol consumption to rehydrate the body and stay hydrated."

And if you do fall off the wagon dont let it get you down and derail your efforts. Get right back on track the next day.

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Your Healthy Family: Eating healthy at a summer BBQ - KOAA.com | Continuous News | Colorado Springs and Pueblo - KOAA.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo...