At the weekend, we often lose the structure and routine that we have throughout the week. Whilst this is completely normal, it can make it more difficult to maintain our exercise habits.
Being consistent with exercise is the best way to make it a long-lasting habit. So, to help you maintain your exercise routine at the weekend, we've come up with a few top tips.
📝 1. Plan it into your weekend
If you have social commitments over the weekend, try to schedule a short workout between your plans. Whether that's a power walk in the morning, HIIT workout in the afternoon, or yoga class in the evening. We have a range of activities in the exercise toolbox in the app for you to try too.
Planning your exercise for the start of the weekend (e.g. Saturday morning) is a great way to make sure you get it done. Exercising in the morning also releases endorphins that will boost your mood and make you feel great for the rest of the day!
🏃♂️ 2. Snack on exercise
If you've got a busy weekend ahead and you're struggling to find time to exercise, you could try exercise snacking throughout the day instead.
Fitting in small bursts of high-intensity exercise, rather than trying to do a long workout, can be easier to manage and provide just as many (if not more) health benefits!
Here are some ways you could include exercise snacking into a busy routine:
Squats while the kettle is boiling
Walking up and down the stairs whilst talking on the phone
Wall push-ups while waiting for your food to heat up in the microwave
Sit-ups while your kids brush their teeth
Our health coaches have shared some other ways to snack on exercise here! For more examples of exercise snacks and the science behind their health benefits, read this article.
👯♀️ 3. Get others involved
Getting friends or family involved in your weekend exercise plans is a great way to help keep you motivated and accountable.
Some examples for keeping active with others at the weekend include joining a local walking group, doing a park run, organising a walking catch up with friends instead of a sit-down one, booking a group exercise class, or exercising with your kids in the park (you might like to try this fun child-friendly workout!).
If you're at home for the weekend, we have plenty of home workouts to try with the family here and on our YouTube page. As well as this, don't forget our Second Nature workouts which can all be done at home!
Take-home messages:
Planning time for exercise over the weekend can help you to be consistent with this habit
Short bursts of exercise throughout the day are just as effective as a full workout
Getting friends or family involved can add some excitement and accountability to our weekend exercise routine
Written by Jemma Joel, Registered Nutritionist and Second Nature Health Coach