TGIF! Don’t let the weekend fun ruin your healthy habits

It always seems to be much easier to follow healthy habits until the weekend whirlwind comes along.  Weekends are supposed to be a time of relaxation, however we all seem to become a little too relaxed.  What happens at 5pm on Fridays that makes the weekend hours so tempting to indulge?? 

On average, Americans consume 345 extra calories on each weekend day.  This can add up to an extra 5 lbs per year!  As weekends are an escape from the stress and chaos of the work week, try to incorporate healthy stress-free ways to wind down.  Even those pesty chores- such as yard work and cleaning house - count as exercise!  Try not to fall off the wagon on the weekends as playing catch up might possibly make your week even more stressful. 

Is it Happy Hour or Friday night at the theaters (equipped with popcorn and soda) that takes you off track or is the ability to hit the snooze button until noon?  By determining what leads you astray over the weekends, you can incorporate ways to help prevent these slips.  A few tips for keeping your weekend healthy:

• Keep up with your journaling over the weekends.  This will help you determine exactly where you tend to go off track.
• Combine family time with exercise.  Take a family bike ride or a trip to a local park.  Even pack a healthy picnic and spend the day outside!
• Plan to cook healthy meals you normally don’t have time for during the week.  All of the extra time on the weekend gives you a perfect reason for trying new things!
• Make one weekend day your day off from exercise.  Relax, you need a day to recuperate!
• Plan your weekend work-outs for the a.m.  You are more likely to do it - if you can get it done early.
• Spice up your weekend work-outs.  This is the perfect time for a long bike ride, to try a new class at the gym, or spend extra time outdoors.
• Run errands that you can incorporate walking/biking to and from.  Get things done while also staying active.
• Yardwork and chores such as vacuuming, raking leaves, etc do count as exercise!
• Don’t save all indulgences for the weekend.  If you deprive yourself all week, you may over-do your splurges!
• Make sure you drink plenty of water. 
• When dining out or attending social functions, make sure you leave prepared.  Don’t go starving or the temptation to over-eat will be tough to overcome!
• If possible, avoid alcohol.  Not only is alcohol very high in calories, but when you consume alcohol you are more likely to overeat and become dehydrated — which is not encouraging to exercise the next day!

Staying on track during the weekends can be tough, but with these tips and motivation, it can be done!  The weekend is made for relaxation, which you can do while staying healthy.  Remember, exercise is the best stress reducer!

HAVE A WONDERFUL HEALTHY WEEKEND!

Source: Sparkpeople.com

Add comment September 28th, 2007