We all tend to relax - or be lax - on weekends. That's what they're for, right? But loosening our grips on a healthy lifestyle, even just for the weekend, can sabotage our efforts to reach health & fitness goals.
Recent studies indicate that we tend to take in more calories on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. The exact number varies from an average of 85 calories per weekend day to 115, & while that may not seem like much, it adds up. A pound is 3,500 calories, so 345 extra calories a week will lead to nearly a pound after 10 weeks - or an extra five pounds over a year!
You may think, 'So I eat a little more on Saturday night, I'll exercise that off on Sunday.'
Sunday ARRIVES, yet you find excuses not to exercise.
Examples
- Church starts at 9am! Then get up at 7am & walk a few miles. You rise early to workout on weekdays, why not now???
-Not a morning exerciser & I can't miss 60 Minutes or Alias on Sunday night! Tape or TiVo it & hit the gym
-Your wife/husband wants you to help in hte garden! Good news - the experts say yard work is 'real' exercise!
- Watching your kids' baseball games all day? Stand up while you watch; standing burns more calories than sitting. Or take a walk between games
- You just don't feel like working out! You think weekends are ONLY for relaxing. Just a few minutes of exercise is better than none. Keeping up with your exercise routine, will help you reach your fitness goals that much faster, & once you get into the groove of working out, you'll crave it! Promise!
Keep your eye on the prize - a healthier you. Be conscious of what you eat during the weekends, stick to your healthy lifestyle of eating right & exercising just like you do during the week. If you need to reward yourself for the hard work through the week, see a movie or get a massage. DON'T get the cheesy fries appetizer or order an extra margarita. The additional weekend calories come mainly from food & alcohol.
On weekends, give yourself a break, but make it a healthy one!
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