Fitness Friday #18: 5 Tips for a Healthier Weekend

Happy Friday! One of the things I hear most often from students is they work so hard during the week to stay active and eat well, and then the weekend hits. Weekend! Freedom! No rules! Eat all the things!

And then Monday rolls around again and it gets harder to get back on track for the week. What to do?

Here are 5 Tips for Having a Healthier Weekend:

1. Schedule a workout. Don’t just think it will happen – write it down and MAKE it happen. Even better, plan to meet someone to workout with you. If you happen to have more ‘free time’ during the weekend, even plan for a longer workout.

2. Hit the sheets by 11:00. Sleep is one of the most important things to achieve optimal health. Maybe the schedule is a little more relaxed on the weekend, and that makes it easier to lose track of time, agree to watch ‘just one more’ episode of Friends on Netflix, or stay out all hours of the night with friends. Getting enough Zzzs will help make the transition from weekend to week much better. Aim for an early-ish bedtime.

3. Get outdoors. One of the best ways to be active is to head outside! From walking to doing yard work (or shoveling in the winter), to playing with the dog/kids/squirrels, there’s so much to be gained from being outside.

Make it a family activity! We love to kayak, work in the yard, and walk.

Don’t have close access to a yard or a park? Hit the pavement for a short walk! Instead of driving to your destination, plan a few extra minutes and walk.

4. Schedule R&R Time. Rest time is just as important as go time. The weekend is a great time to help achieve that balance. Plan some relaxing time, and actually schedule it. This will help prevent the “lazy Sunday” attitude — if you know rest time is coming, you’ll be more likely to get ALL the things done in advance. That way, on Sunday night, you’ll be thinking fondly of your weekend instead of rushing to get everything done for Monday morning.

5. Plan for the week ahead. One of my favorite things to do on Sunday afternoon or evening is to sit down with Johnny and plan our meals for the week. I’ve also gotten into the habit of choosing my clothes for the next day and hanging them up next to my closet.

Take a look at your calendar for the week and see if there’s anything you need to mentally or physically prepare to do. It will make the week so much more enjoyable!