I don't travel your routes so others may be able to offer more specific advice. Just a few non-specific thoughts. Staying extra nights or taking flights inconvenient for your schedule just to make status rarely is worth it.
As a general strategy, I'd stick to booking as is. During the summer, I'd check where I'm at which each program. Then, I'd ask if it makes sense to make some changes geared towards achieving gold. Also keep in mind that current schedules are thinned out. You'll likely have better means of "optimizing" for status in the second half of the year.