Throw a Curve in Your Weekend

We all tend to relax – or be lax – on the weekend. That’s what they’re for, right? But loosening our grips on a healthy lifestyle two days a week can sabotage your efforts to reach your fitness goals.

Don’t use the weekend as an excuse to give up on yourself. Instead, think of the weekend as a time to break out of your normal exercise routine. Saturday and Sunday are perfect days for more “social” exercising. If there is a community center or family gym in your neighborhood, chances are that they have community softball, basketball, tennis, or soccer leagues. In many cases, these teams are be co-ed and have no strict rules about your ability or attendance — you practice when you can and play to have fun, not just work up a sweat.

Think out of the box. Try not to limit yourself to typical cardio workout classes. You can try scuba diving classes at a beach or lake, or indoor rock climbing if you’re near a climbing facility. Looking for creative ways to workout is the key to beating the boredom blahs. Instead of going to the movies, take the family rollerblading, biking, or hiking. Each of these activities is so pleasurable that it hardly feels like exercise. Plus, they are all great for your body and a terrific way to relax.

If you want to concentrate on your regular fitness routine, the weekend may allow you more time to exercise longer or at a higher intensity. The weekend is a great time to get a full body workout or target specific exercises such as cardiovascular, stretching, speed, agility, balance, coordination, and strength-building – things that you may not have time for during your busy week.

Weekend exercising helps keep the week's momentum going. It will help you get the continued physical activity and calorie burning you need, while providing fun and an affective outlet for stress. If you are trying to lose weight, you'll reach your goal faster and you may also find you have more self-confidence and self-esteem as an added bonus.