7 Tips for Active Weekends

We all tend to relax on weekends; and that's what they're for. But what we also tend to do is eat a lot, which is a bad thing if you are on a weight loss mission. Friday night, Saturday and Sunday can be very unproductive for many people. Not following a healthy lifestyle on these days can sabotage our efforts to reach health and fitness goals.

Here are some tips to help you in order to make the most of your weekend:

1. Plan it out: Too many people start their weekend without a solid plan, and end up watching TV. The first step for a healthy weekend is to have a written plan. You should spend at least 20 minutes on Thursday night writing down exactly what you plan to do on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. And don't go over board by filling it entirely with activities, after all you should relax on weekends as well.

2. Rise early: Don't spend weekends lazing in your bed, rise early and make the most of it. Many people spend their weekends in bed till 12 'O' clock and then they just don't have the energy to do anything else throughout the day. This does not mean that you should wake up at 5 am because then there would be no difference between a weekday and a weekend. You can get your extra 1 or 2 hour of sleep on weekends, just don't spend too much time in bed. This will not only free up more time for your weekend, but also regulate your body clock better and make sure that you wake up fresh on Monday morning.

3. Weekends should be fun: You know what they say, "All work and no play makes jack a dull boy". Do make sure that you wrap up your work by Friday night so that you can spend the entire weekend having fun with family and friends. If you cannot free both days of your weekend, set aside one day to finish any unfinished work and errands like grocery shopping and paying bills, and the other day to do something active as a family. You can go for hiking trip or on a bike ride as a family. Make a list of weekend fitness activities and choose one activity from the list every weekend.

4. Go for a walk: The best way to get rid of the morning drowsiness is to get up and go for a walk. Once you come back from the walk, you will feel energized and lively throughout the day.

5. Why watch? Play: Love watching cricket or football on weekends, why not play the game and be a part of it. The best way to enjoy the game is to play it. This will also add activity to your daily weekend schedule. There are plenty of outdoor sports that you can play such as tennis, football, basketball etc.

6. Combine activity with indulgence: Activity doesn't always have to be boring. You can combine it with indulgence as well. For example: If you like to eat chocolate cake, walk to your favorite place and have it there or take a long hike and carry a picnic basket with you. Creativity knows no boundaries.

7. Don't forget your exercise routine: Weekends are the perfect time to invest in your long-term fitness goals. Keeping up with your exercise routine on weekends will help you reach your fitness goals that much faster.

With a little bit of creativity and planning, you too can have loads of fun and fitness on the weekends. So, how do you make your weekends active?