Memorial Day BBQ Nutrition: The Strategic Guide to Summer Kickoff

The scale has been moving down. Your summer cut is finally showing results. You're starting to see some definition. And then you remember: Memorial Day weekend is coming up. Three days of BBQs, pool parties, yard games, and social drinking.

Do you show up to the cookout with a Tupperware of grilled chicken while everyone else eats burgers? Or do you just say "screw it, it's summer" and deal with the consequences Tuesday?

Neither. Let's talk about the strategic approach to BBQ season.

Memorial Day: The All-Day Eating Challenge

Memorial Day is different from other holidays. It's not a single dinner like Easter or Thanksgiving. It's the unofficial start of summer, and that means all-day eating situations.

A typical Memorial Day looks like:

• Morning/brunch: Breakfast foods, maybe mimosas or Bloody Marys if you're at a family gathering
• Afternoon BBQ: The main event — burgers, hot dogs, sides, chips, continuous grazing
• Lawn games and pool time: Intermittent activity between eating
• Evening: Leftovers, desserts, s'mores if there's a fire pit
• Drinking: Beer and seltzers consumed throughout the day, not just with meals

This isn't a 90-minute dinner you navigate and move on from. This is a 6-8 hour social eating marathon. And it's not just Monday — it's often a 3-day weekend of similar events Saturday through Monday.

The challenge isn't one meal. It's sustained social eating across multiple days in an environment designed for indulgence.

Why One BBQ (Actually) Doesn't Matter

Before we dive into strategy, let's do some math to put this in perspective.

Say you're in a 500-calorie daily deficit, losing about a pound per week. Memorial Day Monday, you go all out at the BBQ and end up 1,500 calories over maintenance. What's the actual damage?

The reality:

• 3,500 calories = roughly 1 pound of fat
• One day at 1,500 over maintenance = 0.43 pounds of potential fat gain
• But your body doesn't convert short-term overeating to fat with 100% efficiency

When you suddenly increase calorie intake, your body ramps up energy expenditure. Your metabolic rate temporarily increases to handle the surplus. Not every excess calorie becomes fat, especially during acute overfeeding.

Plus, a day of burgers, potato salad, chips, and beer will spike your sodium and carb intake significantly. The result? Water retention. The 4-5 pounds you see on the scale Tuesday morning? Mostly water, glycogen, and digestive content. Not fat.

So you're looking at maybe setting yourself back 2-3 days of progress. And if you're strategic about the 3-day weekend, even that's avoidable.

The Strategic Approach: The 3-Day Summer Kickoff

Memorial Day weekend is predictable: Saturday, Sunday, Monday. You know BBQs are coming. Use that to your advantage.

The strategy: calorie banking across the long weekend so your weekly average stays on track.

Think of your calories as a weekly budget, not a daily requirement. If you're eating 2,000 calories daily (14,000 weekly) and you know Monday will be 3,000, you can "bank" those extra calories by eating slightly less Saturday and Sunday.

This isn't about restriction or punishment. It's about distribution. You're strategically timing your calories so you can enjoy Memorial Day without guilt or progress loss. This flexible approach to nutrition is essential for long-term success—learn more about maintaining your diet through summer social situations.

Saturday & Sunday: Building the Calorie Bank

The goal isn't deprivation. It's eating slightly less so you have room to enjoy Monday's BBQ completely guilt-free.

How Much to Bank

If you're planning to eat 1,000-1,500 calories over target on Memorial Day, create a 500-750 calorie buffer on both Saturday and Sunday. This keeps your weekly average on track without feeling restricted.

Practical ways to create the buffer:

1. Delay or skip breakfast

• If you're not hungry in the morning, don't eat yet
• Black coffee or tea extends your fasting window naturally
• Or go light: Greek yogurt with berries instead of a full breakfast

2. Make lunch high-protein and filling

• Grilled chicken or turkey with a big salad
• Skip the bread/wrap if it's not adding much value
• Load up on volume (greens, cucumbers, peppers) to stay full on fewer calories

3. Keep dinner normal

• You don't need to suffer through plain chicken breast
• Just minimize calorie-dense additions: less oil, lighter sauces, skip the garlic bread
• Protein, vegetables, moderate carbs

4. Cut out recreational snacking

• The easiest buffer to create
• If you normally snack between meals, skip it Saturday and Sunday
• Save your appetite for Monday's BBQ

5. Stay active

• Saturday/Sunday are perfect for a longer walk, hike, or bike ride
• Early summer weather is ideal — get outside
• Extra activity creates a larger buffer without reducing food intake as much

The Weekend Before the BBQ

Think of Saturday and Sunday as prep days. You're not restricting — you're making room. The goal is to hit Monday with a calorie bank that lets you eat freely without anxiety.

This approach also has a psychological benefit: you go into the BBQ knowing you've already "earned" it. No guilt, no second-guessing, just enjoyment.

Memorial Day BBQ: Strategic Eating Without Restriction

Monday is the main event. Because you banked calories Saturday and Sunday, you can approach the BBQ strategically without white-knuckling through it.

The framework: prioritize what matters, skip what doesn't.

Start with Protein (Your Foundation)

Burgers and hot dogs are not the enemy. Seriously.

• Burger patty (1/4 lb, 80/20 beef): ~280-320 calories, ~20-24g protein
• Hot dog (beef): ~150-180 calories, ~6-7g protein
• Grilled chicken breast (6 oz): ~180-220 calories, ~40g protein
• Ribs (4 oz): ~300-350 calories, ~25-30g protein
• Bratwurst (1 link): ~280-320 calories, ~12-14g protein

Strategy: Load up on protein first. It keeps you full, supports your goals, and gives you a solid macro foundation before you hit the sides and snacks.

If you're having burgers, go for it. The patty itself isn't the problem — it's what comes with it. Which brings us to...

The Bun Decision

Burger and hot dog buns add 120-200 calories depending on size. They're not inherently bad, but ask yourself: does the bun significantly improve this meal, or is it just a vehicle?

Options:

• Full bun: If it's a good bun (toasted brioche, pretzel bun), it's worth it
• Half bun: Top only, or bottom only — still gives you the handheld experience with half the calories
• Lettuce wrap: If you genuinely don't care about the bun, skip it entirely
• Fork and knife: No shame in eating a burger with utensils

The key is being intentional. If you love the bun, have it. If you're just eating it because that's what burgers come with, consider skipping it and saving those calories for something you actually want (like dessert).

Navigating the Side Dish Minefield

BBQ side dishes are where calories sneak up fast. Potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, coleslaw, chips — all delicious, all calorie-dense.

Here's a breakdown of common BBQ sides:

• Potato salad (1/2 cup): ~200-250 calories (mayo-heavy)
• Pasta salad (1/2 cup): ~200-250 calories (oil or mayo-based dressing)
• Baked beans (1/2 cup): ~150-200 calories (sugar + pork)
• Coleslaw (1/2 cup): ~150-200 calories (mayo-based) or ~50-80 calories (vinegar-based)
• Mac and cheese (1/2 cup): ~250-300 calories
• Corn on the cob (1 ear with butter): ~100-150 calories
• Watermelon (1 cup): ~45-50 calories
• Chips (1 oz, ~15 chips): ~150-160 calories
• Grilled vegetables (1 cup): ~60-100 calories

Strategy:

• Pick 1-2 sides you genuinely love. Skip the rest
• Smaller portions. You don't need to fill your plate with every option
• Don't eat something just because it's there. If you're not excited about it, pass
• Lean into low-calorie volume: watermelon, grilled veggies, vinegar-based coleslaw

For example: if you're obsessed with your friend's homemade potato salad, have a real serving. But skip the mediocre store-bought pasta salad you're not even excited about.

The Chip and Dip Trap

Chips, pretzels, and dip are the silent killers at BBQs. They sit out all day, and you mindlessly grab handfuls every time you walk by.

Damage potential:

• Tortilla chips (1 oz): ~140-150 calories
• Potato chips (1 oz): ~150-160 calories
• Pretzels (1 oz): ~110-120 calories
• Guacamole (2 tbsp): ~50 calories
• Salsa (2 tbsp): ~10 calories
• French onion dip (2 tbsp): ~60 calories
• Queso (2 tbsp): ~80-100 calories

Three trips to the chip bowl and you've consumed 500+ calories without even realizing it.

Strategies to avoid chip creep:

• Plate it: If you want chips, put a portion on your plate. Don't graze from the bowl.
• Choose your dip wisely: Salsa is basically free. Queso and french onion dip add up fast.
• Timing: Have chips either before the meal OR after, not continuously throughout the day.
• Distance: Position yourself away from the chip table during conversations.

Alcohol Strategy: Beer, Seltzers, and Mixed Drinks

Summer BBQs and drinking go hand-in-hand. And unlike a dinner where you have 2-3 drinks, an all-day BBQ can easily turn into 5-6+ drinks if you're not paying attention.

Common BBQ drinks:

• Light beer (12 oz): ~100-110 calories
• Regular beer (12 oz): ~140-180 calories
• IPA/craft beer (12 oz): ~180-250 calories
• Hard seltzer (12 oz): ~100 calories
• White Claw/Truly (12 oz): ~100 calories
• Vodka soda (1.5 oz vodka + soda): ~100 calories
• Margarita (8 oz): ~300-400 calories
• Rum punch (8 oz): ~250-350 calories

The all-day drinking problem:

If you're at the BBQ from 1pm to 8pm and you have one drink per hour, that's 7 drinks. At ~100-150 calories each, that's 700-1,050 calories just from alcohol. Before food.

Strategic drinking approach:

1. Set a drink limit before you arrive

• Decide in advance: "I'm having 3-4 drinks today"
• Having a number keeps you accountable

2. Alternate with water or seltzer

• One alcoholic drink, then one water/seltzer
• Keeps you hydrated, slows your drinking pace, reduces total calories

3. Choose lower-calorie options

• Light beer, hard seltzers, and spirits with soda are your best bets
• Avoid sugary mixed drinks (margaritas, rum punch, etc.) unless you really want one

4. Sip, don't chug

• Pace yourself — this is an all-day event
• Nursing drinks slower naturally reduces total consumption

5. Track it (even roughly)

• Log your drinks in real-time or estimate at the end of the day
• Seeing "4 beers = 600 calories" makes you more conscious of it

6. Front-load your food

• Eat protein and substantial food before you start drinking heavily
• Alcohol on an empty stomach leads to poor food decisions later

Dessert Decisions

BBQ desserts tend to be simpler than holiday desserts, but they still add up.

Common BBQ desserts:

• Brownies (1 brownie): ~200-250 calories
• Cookies (2 cookies): ~150-250 calories
• Ice cream (1/2 cup): ~150-200 calories
• Pie (slice): ~300-400 calories
• Watermelon (1 cup): ~45 calories (yes, this counts as dessert)

Strategy:

• Identify what you're most excited about before you start eating desserts
• Have a real portion of your favorite, not a guilt-driven sliver of everything
• Skip the mediocre stuff — you can get store-bought cookies any time
• Consider fruit — watermelon is genuinely satisfying and way lower in calories

If someone made homemade pie and you love it, have a slice. Don't waste calories on grocery store brownies you're not even excited about.

The All-Day Grazing Problem (and How to Solve It)

The biggest challenge with BBQs isn't the meal itself — it's the continuous grazing throughout the day.

What all-day grazing looks like:

• 1:00pm: Arrive, grab some chips and dip
• 2:00pm: Someone grills hot dogs, you have one "to hold you over"
• 3:00pm: Burgers are ready, you make a plate
• 4:00pm: More chips while playing cornhole
• 5:00pm: Someone brings out a cheese plate
• 6:00pm: Desserts come out, you try a few
• 7:00pm: Leftover ribs are sitting out, you grab some
• 8:00pm: S'mores around the fire pit

By the end of the day, you've consumed 3,500-4,000+ calories without ever feeling like you overate at a single meal. You just ate continuously for 7 hours.

Strategies to combat all-day grazing:

1. Set "eating windows" within the event

• Decide in advance: "I'm eating during the main meal (3-4pm) and dessert (6-7pm), but not grazing outside those times"
• Gives you structure without feeling restrictive

2. Use activities as eating breaks

• Playing volleyball? You're not eating.
• In the pool? You're not eating.
• Walking the dog with the host? You're not eating.
• Activity creates natural boundaries

3. Keep your hands busy

• Hold a drink (water, seltzer, one beer you're nursing)
• It's harder to grab food when your hands are occupied

4. Position yourself away from food tables

• Don't stand next to the chip bowl during conversations
• Proximity is temptation — create distance

5. Plate your food, then step away

• Make one plate with everything you want
• Eat it, enjoy it, then move away from the food area
• Out of sight, out of mind

6. Use the "am I actually hungry?" check

• Before grabbing food, ask: "Am I hungry, or am I just eating because it's there?"
• If it's the latter, skip it

The goal isn't to avoid eating — it's to eat intentionally rather than mindlessly throughout the day.

Active Recovery: Yard Games and Pool Time

One of the best parts of Memorial Day BBQs? They usually involve movement.

Common BBQ activities and estimated calorie burn (per hour):

• Volleyball (casual): ~200-300 calories/hour
• Cornhole: ~100-150 calories/hour
• Frisbee/catch: ~150-200 calories/hour
• Swimming (recreational): ~250-350 calories/hour
• Spikeball: ~250-350 calories/hour
• Kan Jam: ~150-200 calories/hour
• Walking around, socializing: ~100-150 calories/hour

If you're actively participating in games and swimming for 2-3 hours throughout the day, you're burning an extra 400-700 calories beyond your baseline. That's significant.

Don't treat it as "earning" your food (that's a slippery slope), but recognize that BBQs are naturally more active than sitting at a dinner table. You're moving more than you think.

Ways to maximize activity without being weird:

• Volunteer to play in every game — be the "yes" person
• Swim laps while others are sitting poolside
• Offer to help set up/clean up (carrying chairs, moving coolers, etc.)
• Organize a walking route around the neighborhood between eating windows
• Play with kids — they have endless energy and will keep you moving

The point isn't to "work off" the BBQ. It's to recognize that Memorial Day gatherings are often active events, and that activity naturally offsets some of the calorie surplus.

The 3-Day Weekend Approach

Memorial Day isn't just Monday — it's usually a 3-day weekend. You might have multiple BBQs, pool parties, or social gatherings across Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

The worst-case scenario: treating all three days as "cheat days" and going 1,500+ calories over on each. That's 4,500 excess calories = ~1.3 pounds of potential fat gain, plus significant water retention.

The strategic approach:

Option 1: Pick Your Battle Day

• Choose one day (likely Monday) to eat freely
• Keep Saturday and Sunday closer to target with calorie banking
• Result: one great day, minimal overall impact

Option 2: Spread It Out

• Go slightly over target on all three days (~500 calories over)
• Total excess: 1,500 calories = ~0.4 lbs potential gain
• Less dramatic than one big day, but requires more discipline across multiple events

Option 3: The Hybrid

• Bank calories Saturday (eat at a deficit)
• Eat at maintenance Sunday (one small gathering)
• Go bigger Monday (the main BBQ)
• Result: weekly average stays roughly on track

Which approach to choose?

It depends on your plans:

• One big BBQ on Monday: Option 1 or 3 (bank Sat/Sun, enjoy Monday)
• Multiple smaller gatherings: Option 2 (moderate all three days)
• Two BBQs (Sunday and Monday): Option 3 (bank Saturday hard, enjoy Sun/Mon)

The key is knowing your weekend schedule in advance and having a plan. Don't just wing it.

Tracking at the BBQ: Quick-Add or Detailed?

Some people meticulously log every component of their BBQ plate. Some people don't track at all. Both are fine, but here's a middle ground:

Quick-add the meal

Instead of logging:

• 1 burger patty, 120g
• 1 hamburger bun
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1/2 cup potato salad
• 15 chips
• 1 brownie
• 3 beers

Just estimate the total and quick-add it:

• "Memorial Day BBQ": 2,500 calories

The goal isn't precision — it's awareness. You're not trying to hit macros perfectly; you're making sure you're in the general ballpark.

When detailed tracking makes sense:

• If you're very close to a specific goal (photo shoot, competition, etc.)
• If you find detailed tracking keeps you more accountable
• If the BBQ is at your house and you know exactly what went into each dish

When quick-adding makes sense:

• You're at someone else's house and don't know preparation details
• The event is social and pulling out your phone to log every item feels disruptive
• You've been consistent with your diet and trust yourself to estimate reasonably

If you're using Zolt, you can quick-add the meal and let the coach adjust your weekly targets accordingly. The app is designed for real life — including BBQs.

The Tuesday Reset Protocol

This is crucial. How you handle Tuesday determines whether Memorial Day was a strategic break or the beginning of a downward spiral.

What NOT to do:

• Don't try to "make up for it" with a crash diet Tuesday
• Don't do a punishment cardio session to "burn off" the BBQ
• Don't freak out about the scale weight

What to do:

1. Expect and accept the scale spike

• You'll be up 3-6 pounds Tuesday morning
• It's water retention from sodium, carbs, alcohol, and food volume
• It's not fat, and it'll be gone within 3-5 days

2. Return to your normal deficit immediately

• Same calorie target you were hitting before the weekend
• Same meal structure, same routine
• Don't go more aggressive to "compensate"

3. Prioritize hydration

• Drink plenty of water Tuesday through Thursday
• Helps flush the water retention and sodium
• Also helps if you're dealing with a hangover

4. Get back to your normal movement routine

• Hit your usual workout
• Nothing extreme, nothing punishing
• Just consistency

5. Focus on protein and fiber

• Both keep you full and help you get back on track mentally
• After a weekend of high-carb, high-fat foods, protein and veggies feel good

6. Don't restrict harder to "make up for it"

• You already banked Saturday and Sunday
• Dropping calories even lower just makes you miserable and increases binge risk
• Trust the process

People who view occasional higher-calorie days as part of the plan (not failures) have better long-term adherence and success than rigid dieters who spiral after any deviation.

The Tuesday reset is where you prove you're a flexible, strategic dieter. Get back to your routine, ignore the scale spike, and by the following week, it'll be like the BBQ never happened.

Comparing Approaches: Which Strategy Wins?

Let's compare three approaches to Memorial Day weekend and their real outcomes.

Approach 1: The Strict Dieter

Strategy:

• Stays in deficit all weekend
• Brings Tupperware of grilled chicken to the BBQ
• Skips all sides, desserts, and alcohol
• Feels "disciplined"

Outcome:

• Maintains deficit: ~1,500 calorie advantage over 3 days = 0.43 lbs progress
• High stress, low enjoyment
• Friends/family ask, "Why aren't you eating?"
• Feels deprived and potentially binges later in the week
• Misses the entire point of summer kickoff

Net result: Minimal extra progress, high psychological cost, social awkwardness, potential rebound.

Approach 2: The YOLO Approach

Strategy:

• "It's summer, I deserve to enjoy myself"
• Eats and drinks freely Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
• Multiple burgers, endless chips, 6+ beers each day
• Doesn't think about it until Tuesday

Outcome:

• Likely 1,500-2,000 calories over maintenance each day
• 4,500-6,000 excess calories over the weekend = 1.3-1.7 lbs potential gain
• Low stress during the weekend
• Significantly harder to get back on track Tuesday (lost all momentum)
• Scale spike of 5-7 pounds creates panic and potential diet abandonment

Net result: Real fat gain, momentum lost, difficult psychological recovery, potential to derail the entire summer cut. If this weekend marks the start of vacation season for you, see our guide on whether you should diet on vacation to maintain a sustainable approach through summer.

Approach 3: The Strategic Dieter (The Smart Play)

Strategy:

• Banks 500-750 calories Saturday and Sunday
• Eats intentionally at Monday's BBQ (prioritizes protein, chooses favorite sides, limits alcohol to 3-4 drinks)
• Participates in active games and swimming
• Quick-adds the BBQ meal, doesn't obsess
• Resumes normal deficit Tuesday

Outcome:

• Weekly average stays roughly on target
• Minimal to no actual fat gain (0-0.3 lbs)
• Enjoys the holiday without guilt
• Easy to resume Tuesday because it was a planned break
• Scale spike is moderate (3-4 lbs, mostly water)
• Maintains social connections and summer enjoyment

Net result: Progress maintained, holiday enjoyed, no rebound effect, sustainable approach.

The Strategic Approach Wins

The math is clear: the strategic approach gives you 85-90% of the enjoyment of the YOLO approach with almost none of the setback. You're not suffering through the BBQ like the strict dieter, and you're not setting yourself back a week like the YOLO approach.

And crucially, this approach is sustainable for the entire summer. Memorial Day is just the beginning. There will be Fourth of July BBQs, weekend pool parties, beach trips, weddings, and more. If your strategy is "avoid all social eating," you're going to have a miserable summer and probably fall off your diet entirely.

The strategic approach lets you participate in summer while making progress. That's the point.

Long-Term Perspective: One Weekend Won't Make or Break Your Summer

Zoom out for a second. Your summer cut probably runs May through August — 16 weeks. Memorial Day weekend is 3 days. That's 1.8% of your total cut.

Even if you completely blew it on Memorial Day (which you won't if you follow this strategy), the impact on your end result is minimal. The difference between "perfect Memorial Day" and "strategic Memorial Day" is maybe 0.4-0.6 lbs by the end of summer.

But here's what matters infinitely more: your ability to enjoy summer while pursuing your goals.

If your cut is so rigid that you can't enjoy a BBQ with friends and family, that's not a sustainable lifestyle. And if it's not sustainable, you'll either:

1. Abandon your goals to enjoy summer, or
2. Stick to your goals but be miserable all summer

Neither is a win.

Flexible dieters have:

• Better long-term adherence to their diet
• Lower rates of binge eating and diet-related anxiety
• Better psychological outcomes and quality of life
• Similar or better weight loss results compared to rigid dieters

The goal isn't to be perfect for 16 weeks. It's to build a relationship with food and fitness that you can maintain for years. Memorial Day is practice for that.

Putting It All Together: Your Memorial Day Game Plan

Your step-by-step strategy:

Saturday:

• Eat 500-750 calories below your target
• Protein-forward meals, skip recreational snacking
• Stay active (long walk, bike ride, yard work)
• Go to bed knowing you're building your calorie bank

Sunday:

• Another 500-750 calorie buffer (or eat at maintenance if you have a small gathering)
• Keep it simple: protein, veggies, moderate carbs
• Stay hydrated
• Mentally prepare for Monday's BBQ

Monday (Memorial Day BBQ):

• Start with protein: burgers, hot dogs, chicken, ribs
• Choose 1-2 sides you actually love, moderate portions
• Be smart about the bun (full, half, or skip based on preference)
• Set a drink limit (3-4 drinks max), alternate with water
• Participate in active games and swimming
• Have dessert if you want it — pick your favorite, skip the rest
• Quick-add the meal (~2,000-2,500 calories) and move on
• Enjoy your friends and family
• Remember: this is the kickoff to summer

Tuesday:

• Ignore the scale spike (it's water and food volume)
• Resume your normal deficit target
• Same routine, same foods, no punishment
• Hydrate heavily to flush water retention
• Get back to your normal workout

Rest of the week:

• Maintain consistency
• Watch the water weight drop off by Friday
• Feel good knowing you enjoyed Memorial Day without derailing progress

By the following Monday, your weight will be back to pre-BBQ levels, and you'll have successfully navigated the first major challenge of summer.

Kicking Off Summer On Track

Memorial Day is more than just a BBQ — it's a mindset shift. It's the unofficial start of summer, and how you handle it sets the tone for the next three months.

If you white-knuckle through it, you're setting yourself up for a miserable summer of avoiding social events and feeling left out. If you completely abandon your goals, you're setting yourself up for regret in August when you're not where you wanted to be.

The strategic approach lets you have both: progress toward your physique goals AND a summer full of experiences, social connections, and BBQ memories.

This is what sustainable fitness looks like. It's not about perfection. It's not about choosing between your goals and your life. It's about having a system that works in real life, during real summers, at real BBQs.

So eat the burger. Have a few drinks. Play volleyball. Swim. Enjoy the long weekend. And wake up Tuesday knowing you kicked off summer without sacrificing your progress.

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Navigate Summer Kickoff with Zolt

If you're using Zolt, the calorie banking strategy for Memorial Day is built right in. You can:

• Adjust your weekly average to account for the BBQ day
• Quick-add your Memorial Day meal without stressing over every ingredient
• Set daily targets for Saturday and Sunday to create your calorie bank
• Let the coach ease you back in Tuesday with adaptive targets based on your trend
• Track alcohol without guilt — the app treats it like any other calorie source
• See your trend weight to ignore the post-BBQ scale spike and focus on the real signal

The app is designed for real life — including summer BBQs, pool parties, and all the social eating that comes with the season. No guilt, no punishment, just smart adjustments that keep you on track while you actually enjoy summer.

Download it on the App Store and go into Memorial Day weekend with a plan, not panic. Summer is here. Make it count.