If you find you always meet with your friend at the mall or your favourite restaurant, you should be wary of the extra calories you’re consuming by eating out or enjoying some ice cream together. Friends bond well over food, especially comfort food when someone is going through a hard time. However, there are other ways to enjoy time together. Below are tips on how to avoid overindulging when enjoying some girl time.
Meet at the gym
Instead of meeting at your favourite restaurant or at the mall where many temptations can be found, meet at the gym. If you’ve both been wanting to get in shape, join the gym together, and make plans to catch up while on the treadmill, elliptical or bike. If neither of you likes the gym, take up a sport together. Enjoy tennis, volleyball, or soccer, or even meet up at the pool. Making physical activity part of your social activities will keep you feeling more fit while enjoying time together.
Choose a coffee shop over a restaurant
You don’t have to converse over pasta, burgers and ice cream. Meet at a local coffee shop for iced coffees or smoothies instead. Watch your sugar intake by asking for sugar-free syrups and fat-free milk in your drinks. Be sure to watch your caffeine intake as well by opting for decaf coffees or herbal teas.
Pack a healthy picnic
If you bond the best over food, plan a picnic with your friends, where each of you brings your favourite healthy snack. Vegetables and dip, salads and homemade sandwiches on whole-grain pita or sliced bread are great options. By making your own food, you know exactly what has gone into what you’re eating, and you’ll save money while avoiding calories.
Spend money on something besides food
When you eat out less often with your friend, you’ll have extra money to spend elsewhere. Go on a shopping trip together, treat yourselves to a spa day or save the money for a vacation together. Both your waistline and your wallet will thank you!
Enjoy treats together once in a while
Watching your weight together doesn’t mean you have to completely give up your favourite treats; the idea is just to not have them each time you meet up. If you support each other through your fitness and health goals, then agree to enjoy your favourite treats once a month together to celebrate your accomplishments. Not only will this give you something to look forward to, but it will show you that you can enjoy your friendship without calorie-rich foods and that you can both support each other while doing so. In the end, it’s all about balance.
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