Empower Me Photo

How does one stay true to their diet and exercise program during this festive weekend?

Memorial Day is a special time of year; for most of the country it is the final signal for summer to start – although snow in June has been known to happen. This past winter was one of the worst in generations and hopefully the summer will produce premium weather.

More important than the mark on the calendar as summer kicks in, Memorial Day is a time of remembrance as the holiday commemorates United States men and women who died while in military service.

There are many traditions around Memorial Day. Some of them include: visiting a cemetery and memorials, volunteers placing flags on grave stones at the national cemeteries, many families will barbecue and the Indianapolis 500 is held during this weekend.

If you fly your flag, be sure to hoist it only to half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Another timely piece to Memorial Day is 3pm local time as that is set aside as a time to observe silence in the memory of our fallen soldiers.

Staying true to your diet or exercise program over the holiday weekend is important. It could be that you need a break and a day or two of rest is fine - but remember that you do not want to lose momentum on your journey. Nor do you want bad food choices to set back the dial on your weight scale. Be smart about your planning of foods and activities.

Try not to over sleep although I certainly can appreciate the comfort of my own bed on a holiday weekend. Sleep is a very powerful drug and WAY over rated.

Weight Loss this Memorial Day
If you worry that your time with family or friends is going to sabotage your diet, then speak out. Let your family know that some of the menu items they have grown accustom to simply are not healthy choices. Make a change. You will be surprised how many of them will step in and agree and contribute ideas toward fresher food.

If you have to, leave early. If your family barbecue leads to heavy deserts, constant snacking around the bowl of chips or heavy drinking as the sun starts to sink in the sky, then head home early. Who cares? You are on a journey; a fabulous weight loss journey. Don't let one holiday weekend derail your success.

Keep a strong vision of who you want to become. Let the vision empower you!

The photo is my son and I prior to attending the USA v. Ghana match in Germany 2006 at the FIFA World Cup Finals. Kevin and I will be attending the FIFA 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa next month.