It's not the weekend's fault. It's the habit. The pattern. A series of triggers that lead to behavior. For example, when you go on vacation, sometimes you have to rethink processes: "Get up, brush teeth...now, where's my toothbrush? Oh yeah, it's in that bag...oh, there's my missing sock! I should really get breakfast. Oh look, donuts!" We reach for the sparkly object and forget to brush our teeth altogether. When we are outside of our habit (or habitat), performing simple tasks can be difficult or require extra thought.
On the other hand is the "trigger": what's triggering the person to behave a certain way? When you watch tv, do you want a snack? When you're around friends and family, is it hard to keep your hand out of the candy and chip bowl? These can be habit triggers that can lead to over eating.
STEPS TO HELP YOU STAY ON TRACK DURING THE WEEKEND:
1. Keep your healthy habits! Do you run every weekday morning? Don't abandon that run Saturday and Sunday. Do you have a healthy smoothie for breakfast every day before work? Keep that going!
2. Identify your "triggers": do you relax more on the weekends, and often enjoy a snack when you relax? Maybe change it to a healthier snack, or adopt a new habit while you're relaxing (like knitting, or coloring). At family gatherings, sip a glass of water or munch on veggies. If a healthy option isn't available, bring one yourself!
3. Vision your reward: how will you feel when you pass up the cookie plate? How will you feel if you don't?
4. Remember your WHY: why do you want to be healthy? I know that may be a silly question, but really...why? Is it to fit in your favorite jeans? Is it because you have no energy when you don't eat well? Do you want to feel beautiful and comfortable in your skin again?
When done together, these 4 steps are sure to help you conquer the weekend...and feel like a badass on Monday. ❤️