*disclaimer: technically, yes, the first official start of summer falls on Tuesday of next week. However, being that weekends supersede weekdays in importance, we decided for the purposes of this post to assume that the summer solstice falls on Sunday. We have no need for science when there’s partying to do, GOT IT?*

This weekend marks the official beginning of summer, the holiest best time of year. Bikinis, boat rides, beer, beach trips – 4 Bs that make us wish that scientists would quit with the whole space business and figure out how to make it summer all year round. So, to countdown the moments till paradise, we bring you the BCU weekend to dos: Countdown to Summer edition.

1. Friday night: HIT THE GYM/CUT THE CRAP

Honestly, it’s too late. If you’re like me, you probably started your summer weight loss plan months ago and by now it has spiraled into you saying “f*** it” every night and opting for a beer and an ice cream cone instead of going on a run. However, although you might be starting the summer as a chubby pale blob, you can at least get to a bearable shape by mid-summer if you start working out and eating right now. We suggest a lower-carb, high-protein diet to cut fat the quickest, and to complement the diet, a low-rep, high-weight lifting routine in the gym. At the club, use this guide to know what to drink to “get drunk, not fat”.

2. Saturday: GTL

If there was one thing the Jersey Shore taught us (other than that I never want to go to the Jersey Shore), it’s the hilariously superficial routine of “GTL” = Gym, Tan, Laundry. Obviously, you’ll want to take this routine with a grain a whole handful of salt, because those peoples’ tans were gross and their clothes were the worst. However, spending your Saturday working out, laying out in the sun (or spray tanning for you ginger folk who burn easily), and then hitting the shops for your summer clothing staples is another great way to feel summer-sexy before the heat hits. Instead of blindly grabbing a bunch of clothes you might not wear more than once, check out H&M’s lookbook for summer 2011 (men, women) to see what items will stand the test of summer time!

3. Sunday: Funday

Jesus said Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, so take this day to skip a workout, and enjoy one of the longest days of the year by seeing if you can party from sun up to sun down. Sunday is set to last almost 15 hours, so enjoy every minute of it to set the tone for what the rest of your summer weekends will be like. From brunch on a sunny patio to a BBQ into the 8 pm sunset with your closest friends, have a camera handy to document every hour of this first Sunday of summer, because in like, 6 months, you’ll be sulking indoors under six blankets by 5 o’clock.

 

After a summer like last year, which I really don’t even think constitutes a summer because it never got warmer than 70 degrees, we in San Diego are appreciating every warm moment that comes our way, and you should too! Soak in that Vitamin D, enjoy times outside with friends and family, and make this weekend be the ultimate summer kickoff (especially if you have a great booty call to share it with!). Happy weekending!