Sponsored by YMCA of Okanagan 鈥� Impress Branded Content

The beautiful Okanagan summer is picture-perfect for patio season, and while it can be tempting to forego fitness when friends call, balance is key.

Plan your week to include both friends and fitness, choose healthier food options, and remember, 鈥渆verything in moderation.鈥�

Need more inspiration? The fitness experts at the new offer their favourite ideas:

1. Set realistic expectations 鈥� Plan for success with smaller goals. Don鈥檛 say you鈥檒l go to the gym daily after work if you鈥檇 normally hit the patio a few days a week. You鈥檒l only be frustrated for not achieving your goals.

2. Set short-term exercise plans 鈥� Each week, review your schedule and weather forecast, scheduling exercise at times that allow you to enjoy patio season. The frequency, type of exercise and duration should maintain or slightly increase your current program.

3. Remind yourself 鈥� Set workout reminders on your phone and tell friends, family and gym buddies 鈥� anyone who鈥檒l help hold you accountable and support your plan. Better yet, get them to join you!

4. Plan for derailments 鈥� It鈥檚 sunny and even your workout buddies are hitting the patio. Why not? Embrace life! But re-jig your schedule before you go to fit in the exercise you鈥檒l miss. If your schedule is too packed, find a compromise 鈥� maybe a shorter, higher-intensity workout before the patio.

5. Positive self-talk 鈥� It鈥檚 easy to talk yourself into patio time: You deserve it and summer is short! When self-talk leads you away from exercise, yell STOP in your head. Replace it with positive thoughts: You feel invigorated and successful when exercising, and always feel better after. It鈥檚 the most important thing you do for yourself.

6. Is it the right kind of exercise? If you regularly talk yourself out of exercise, you鈥檙e not enjoying it. Maybe try a group class, outdoor activity or updated gym program. You should feel challenged with a tough workout, but also powerful and successful.

7. Do you get at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise weekly? That鈥檚 2.5 hours of exercise that makes you breathe hard. If so, be proud 鈥� you鈥檙e doing better than 80 per cent of the population! Go ahead and hit the patio 鈥� In moderation, of course.

Keep your summer fitness on track at the 琉璃神社 Downtown YMCA, now open at 505 Doyle St., in the Interior Health building. This new 7,500-sq-ft fitness centre supports the health and wellness of downtown residents and employees. includes free one-on-one personal coaching, a full suite of cardio and strength equipment, functional fitness area, unlimited access to group fitness classes and specialty health programs. Members also have full access to the .

Learn more at .