After a long week, there is nothing better than relaxing over the weekend. Especially a holiday weekend.
You get to catch up with friends…do a little reading…and do some fun activities you may not be able to do during the week.
But the weekends can also be a troublesome time for those looking to lose weight.
During the week, you’re likely to follow a schedule that helps you stay on track. But the weekends are a little looser…a little more free.
It may be easy to get sidetracked on your exercise and your nutrition plan. So how do you stay on track over the weekend—so Monday isn’t a rollercoaster, or it feels like you’re starting all over again?
Here are some easy tips:
1. Start Your Day Off With Breakfast
It’s easy on the weekends to stay in bed and catch up on a good book, your favorite show, or just to get a little more sleep. But this may keep you from doing all the things you want to do over the weekend. In order to keep your weekend on track, you should start each day off with breakfast. This is a great way to jump start your day—and your metabolism—which keeps your goals in the forefront.
2. Get Moving
Although the weekends can be busy, you should always carve out some time to get moving and exercise. Not only does exercise burn extra calories, it also gets the blood flowing and your body moving. Try to find an activity that keeps your heart pumping and that you will enjoy.
3. Don’t Skip Meals
It’s common to get caught up in doing stuff over the weekends that you may forget to eat a few meals. And when this happens it could slow your metabolism. The most important thing on the weekends you can do to maintain your goals is to keep a healthy eating pattern. Don’t skip meals, and don’t overdo it at meals. If you keep both of these in mind on the weekends, stepping on the scale on Monday morning won’t be nearly as bad.
4. Watch the Alcohol
There is nothing wrong with having a few drinks over the weekend. However, having a few too many may add empty calories and prevent weight loss from occurring. If you do feel the need to drink, having a glass or two of wine, or a couple of beers may add health improvements—and keep you on the losing streak.
5. Keep Your Goals In Mind
The most important tip for the weekend is to keep your goals in mind. If you want to stay dedicated to your weight loss program, you need to put your goals–and your health–first. You can still have fun while working towards your goals–you just need to focus on activities and foods that will keep you moving in the right direction.
Everyone enjoys a good weekend…but it may not be great for your weight loss. But it can be. As long as you’re following the tips from above, you can maintain a fun, healthy weekend, while keeping your nutrition and health goals in mind.
Your friend and trainer,
Paul F. Sweatt CPT
Train Smart. Train Hard. Train Safe. Train to Sweatt.