Barbecues and raft-ups and swizzle and sun! How can you stay fit and healthy during the upcoming summer months?

I was overjoyed when I was asked to contribute to a health and fitness column.

It was such a timely request because summer is fast approaching and, much like surviving the Christmas season, summer survival is important.

You don’t want to end your summer being less healthy or losing your fitness level — after all, you have likely spent the winter months sculpting your “summer body”, so let’s aim to keep it.

So here they are, my top tips for surviving the awesomeness of a Bermuda summer.

Much like embarking upon a new workout regime, staying fit during the summer months may seem like a tremendously tough task.

Not only will there be the temptation of delicious foods and treats, there are constant invites to barbecues, raft-ups, happy hours and so on. You may find that you have even less time to work off the delicacies.

Surviving the summer months is not as hard as we make it out to be. If you follow three simple rules, you may even lose weight during this warm, beach-filled, swizzle season.

My slogan for life is this: Decide. Commit. Succeed.

n DECIDE

Decide upon an accountability partner, someone to work out with and help keep you on track, even if only from June to September.

Decide what your weekly workout schedule will be. Raft up on Sunday? Go for a brisk pedal bike ride at 7am so you make the 11am boat. Friday sunset happy hour? Suck it up and throw some weights around at 6am.

You will have to make some tough choices and sacrifices. Decide which barbecues or gatherings you will attend — and when you will pass on the second cup of swizzle or third burger. Find your balance!

n COMMIT

Commit to each other. Do not let each other stray or else you are defeating the purpose of an accountability partner.

Encourage each other, motivate each other and be a positive voice for each other when you are tempted to skip a session or overindulge.

Commit to your weekly schedule. You have planned ahead, decided on when you will work out and your partner is ready to go, so the old excuse of “I don’t have time” is null and void. You have time because you decided on a time. Commit to it.

Commit to your party choice. Do not get stressed. If you end up at a party you did not plan for, be mindful of what you are eating, do not overindulge and remember your holiday goals and you will...

n SUCCEED

That’s pretty much it. Having made your plans and committed, you have no reason not to be successful.

Keep weekly tabs on how successful the two of you were and use this to motivate you the following week. Start a fitness journal if need be.

It may seem cruel to lay out guidelines for anyone during the summer months — after all, it is the best time to be in Bermuda and enjoying yourself. However, if you are serious about your goal to maintain your weight and fitness, or maybe even successfully lose weight or improve your fitness levels during the summer months, you need to commit — only then will you be successful.

Decide. Commit. Succeed. Happy Summer!!!!

Dre is a retired track and field athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict” with more than five years’ experience. She specialises in nutrition, weight and sprint training, operating primarily out of National Stadium. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com or 599-0412. Find her on both Facebook and Instagram under @Absbydre