Weekends are our vacation days. Our time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. It doesn’t have to mean Splurge days though or completely wasting away all of the hard work you’ve put in throughout the week to eat healthy and exercise! Here are easy ways to stay healthy and still enjoy yourself this weekend!
1. Plan. Plan. Plan.
If you know you’re going to be out all day, bring snacks! Don’t leave yourself to become overly hungry and therefore accepting any poor choice or fast food. Grab an apple, almonds, whole wheat crackers, a protein shake… A balanced snack will keep you going and better yet, stop the hangry 🙂
2. Eat a small meal or snack before going out to eat.
Sounds weird right, eat twice? Yes! We all know how long it takes to actually eat when you go out to a restuarant – you have to drive there, wait for a table, wait to order, wait for the food. You will be STARVING by the time you actually eat and subsequently you’ll be more likely to overeat. OR you will find yourself filling up on the chips/bread. Not good either. Save yourself and eat a balanced snack before you leave the house!
3. Let’s piggyback off of #2: say no to the chips and bread! Don’t even have them come to the table. You went out for good food, don’t full up on things you have at home!
4. Split a meal with someone. The portions at restaurants are HUGE. Add in the sides, salad and any appetizer, you are easily looking at a few meals worth if portions! So share a meal with a friend! Not only will this bring your portions back to size for you, you’ll also be saving money. Two goals achieved!
5. Dance more (or at least walk around!)
Burn some calories and you’ll be less likely to chug the drink at your table too!
6. Skip the mixers.
All of the soda, juice and extras are adding calories you didn’t even realize to each of your drinks. Need an easy way to add flavor? Bring a Mio or other flavor adder that as zero calories! Try it, you might like it.
7. Be the first to order.
You will be less likely to switch your healthy choice plan for the better sounding burger if you place your order first! Stick to your plan and you won’t regret it!
8. Drink your water!!!
Trust me, you will thank me tomorrow 🙂
9. Know the facts: with alcohol you will consume AT LEAST 11% more food than you would without alcohol. Alcohol actually triggers your mind to eat more than you need/normally would have. Understand this and be ready to tell yourself to stop well before you’re full. We’ve all had that late-night food run. Be ware!
10. Love yourself. You deserve to have fun and enjoy a splurge here and there. So give yourself a break and have the dessert. Eat a few french fries. Just get back on track tomorrow and don’t loose sight of your bigger goal.
Emily Langlois, CPT 