7 healthy habits for the weekend

The weekend can surely represent a challenge for our health and weight loss goals. Because? Well, during the week, we tend to plan for the future and follow a schedule. We get up, eat breakfast, head to work, eat scheduled snacks during breaks, enjoy lunch at the same scheduled time each day, and find ways to squeeze in some exercise. Many of us even pack a whole day’s worth of food and do very well in making healthy choices day to day. But weekends don’t have to be this way. In fact, weekends are a good time to practice healthy behaviors because you usually have more time to do so. So how do you change your unhealthy weekend habits? A good start would be to start incorporating these healthy weekend tips so you can stay healthy and on track to your goal. Healthy Habits 1.Exercise The best part of the weekend is that you have more free time. So, while you may not be able to squeeze in a 30-minute run during lunch during the week, you can use the weekend to go for a longer run, at a beautiful park nearby. Or go to the gym to try a new one-hour class. Use the weekend as a time to refresh your training and get more active in a leisurely manner. 2. Eat like it’s a weekday When you think about it, it doesn’t really make much sense to eat differently on the weekend than you do during the week, especially if your food choices during the week mana keep charging fuel and energy. It can be easy to skip meals on the weekends and then make up for it later by overdoing it at dinner. Therefore, make a point to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner while sitting down. Pack snacks for when you’re on the go, and follow a schedule just like you would during the week. Your body will thank you! 3. Sleep well Are you someone who has a firm schedule during the week only to stay up late and sleep in on the weekends? Changing sleep patterns could throw off your schedule (hard to eat breakfast when you get up at noon!), and may also interfere with weight loss. Just think about all those times you stayed up later than usual, got hungry and ended up eating something unhealthy! Changing your sleep schedule can also make it difficult to fall asleep on Sunday night which could set you up for a tired Monday. 4. Go Outside Since most of us work indoors during daylight hours, weekends offer a good opportunity to get outside, watch the sun, and connect with nature. So, get out and enjoy the outdoors! 5. Have moderation Fuel for success from Monday to Friday. Ask yourself honestly if you pushed too hard with your workouts or restricted your food or calories too much during the week. If so, come Friday, your body may be hungry and tired, which can lead to overeating and lack of exercise on the weekend. Remember to practice moderation every day, eating and exercising in ways that can be sustained over the long term—not just a few days or weeks. 6. Relax The m Most of us are busy during the week and even our weekends seem to be taken care of without layovers, chores, work and travel. So how do you find time to relax? Take the entire weekend (or at least part of it) to schedule some downtime for at least an hour or two. Whether it’s practicing your favorite hobby, watching a movie with friends or even meditating silently, do something every weekend that recharges you. Not only will you feel better, but you will also combat stress (which will also) help you lose a few pounds. 7. Plan for the next week What better way to stay healthy on the weekend than by using your extra time to continue setting yourself up for success? Take a Sunday afternoon or evening to plan your meals, hit the grocery store, and make some big batch of cooking for the week ahead. That way, when your busy week gets even busier, you’re already ahead of the curve and able to stay on track! Don’t forget to wash your workout clothes, pack your gym bag, and prepare for workouts, too.