Summer hits, Netflix blares, chip bags open and the weight gain begins. On lazy days, why not treat yourself to some ice cream while you watch your favorite movie? On a day when you're out with your friends, why not treat yourself to a burger for dinner? Or on a shopping day, why not grab some french fries from the food court? It's a Friday night and your best friend is sleeping over, why not order pizza? You had a long shift at work and you don't feel like cooking, why not just drive through somewhere? You've been staying up progressively later and later each night, and at 2 a.m. you have the munchies, so why not get a midnight snack?

This is the stream of thoughts any and all of us experience throughout the ebb and flow of the summer season. For me, it has meant packing on a few extra unwanted pounds during previous summers. So this year, I've tried to make a change.

I'm eating better (for the most part), and I'm exercising (whenever I have time). My regimen is far from perfect, but thus far, it is working with me and the insane schedule that I am maintaining. When I have time, I exercise and my goal is always three days each week. I mix up my exercise depending on weather, temperature, the time of day and just gut feeling. My goal is to stay active, not be an Olympic athlete, so I don't measure what I do each day strenuously. I just want to get my heart rate up and a bit of a sweat going. Whenever I have the time in the morning, working out is my first order of business. When I don't have time because of an early shift, a list of errands or whatever other chaos the day has in store, it is my first order of business when I make it back home. Another rule for myself, one that I take with me through every season, is never shower without working out. This isn't to say I don't shower regularly -- I do -- but rather, my need to shower, coupled with my resolution to not shower until I have worked out, gets me moving. I'll be on my way to shower and I remember my promise to myself, and it forces me to stop and do a few sets of push-ups, crunches, or squats, or go for a run before I shower.

As for food, the more experimenting the better. I've been changing it up every time I go to the grocery store, trying different fruits, energy bars, juices, whatever healthy things I can find. One of my constants is a lack of dairy, though. Instead of the two percent milk I grew up with, I grab coconut and almond milk instead, and as a result, I've noticed not only a drop in my weight, but also an increase in energy and a more steady metabolism.

Of course I cheat -- I had five slices of pizza just last night. But I work hard not to slip too often, and when I do, I make up for it and move on working out and eating healthy in the future. My regimen is far from specific or scientific, but so far I've managed to stave off any weight gain this summer, and have even felt an increase in muscle, strength and overall health. Whether you want to try out my easy going health routine or find something else to keep you going -- perhaps a gym membership, a summer diet or a Pilates class -- whatever you feel will keep you from the summer lazies, go for it.