Tuesday Tip: Navigating the weekend

Tuesday Tip: Navigating the weekend 🍻

The weekends can be tough for a lot of us, so if you struggle, you’re definitely not alone. Sometimes they’re difficult because we’re trying to be too perfect /restrictive during the week, meaning we swing in the opposite direction once Friday night hits.

Or it’s the change in routine, the lack of structure and freedom that can pull us off track at the weekend.

However, you absolutely do have the power to be more consistent over the weekends, and a lot of it comes down to doing just a little bit more planning, changing your mindset, and working on a few habits.

Here are a few tips:

# Do a mini food prep

It’s common to do the main food prep and planning on a Sunday which means but Thursday you’re out of food. Try a mini prep on a weds – just something quick – to tide you over until Saturday, or plan a few meals in for the weekend that are easy and won’t require too much extra thought or prep. A rotisserie chicken, microwavable rice, and steamable veggies go a long way for example.

# Add a little structure

Add just a little bit more structure to the weekends. A lot of folks use the weekends to de-stress and de-compress, as you should. But a lot of the free time we have can pull us off track. So, write out a loose schedule for yourself to follow. Figure out when you’ll workout if you’re doing to, go on walks/activities, do any chores or errands, or spend time with friends or family members.

# Plan something for Sunday morning

If you struggle with moderating alcohol or staying on top of your diet on a Saturday night then plan a something for Sunday morning – a workout, a walk, meeting friends etc. Nobody wants to go on any sort of adventure hungover or not feeling they’re best.

# Moderate your alcohol

If you are going to drink then alternate between an alcoholic beverage and a water. You could try going for one very nice nice (more expensive) drink and savour it a bit more rather than going for the cheapest option too. Use low or alcohol free options too. Plan ahead and decide in advance how many drinks you are going to have and track them in advance.

# Choose one..

Choose one meal or part of a meal to enjoy/indulge in rather than the entire weekend e.g. brunch with friends might be one you decide to allocate more calories to, or if you’re out for dinner go for a starter or a dessert or 2 drinks – not all of it.

# Plan snacks

Try to plan your snacks so the weekend doesn’t become one long grazing session – especially if you’ve had late nights/are hungover. Plan in some nice, but slightly lower calorie options e.g. light popcorn with a film etc

# Don’t punish yourself

If you do end up overeating or drinking you can’t go back and change it but that doesn’t mean all is lost. Nip that ‘all or nothing” mindset in the bud and remind yourself that even a little better is better.

Accept, acknowledge, adjust, and move forward. Make sure you reflect and ask yourself what you can change and do differently next weekend. Then, get back to your typical routine as soon as you can.

Happy Tuesday 🤗xx