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YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Go ahead, brag: How did you take care of yourself over the weekend?

    By Jessica Ashley, Senior Editor | Healthy Living – Sun, May 30, 2010 7:36 PM EDT

    Many of us spend our work days and even weekends running from place to place and commitment to commitment. Somewhere in between job projects, soccer practice, a half-hour at the gym, and a quick stop at Whole Foods, we're left feeling overwhelmed, obligated, exhausted.

    And then comes a long weekend. The chance to slow down, maybe even sit down during a meal, is certainly necessary. But it's pretty easy to turn that holiday into one big food or inactivity bender.

    So how do you use those days off to slow your normal, chaotic schedule and avoid spinning out of control in the opposite direction? I certainly do not have all the answers. But I do know that over-indulging in chips at a barbecue three days in a row or party hopping while hopped up on coffee and then settled down with drinks all weekend long might be fun once in a while, but inevitably feels awful on Tuesday when I get back to real life again.

    In the last year, I've made an effort to use my extended time off to have fun while also incorporating small ways to take care of myself. That way, I feel like I used my holiday well but I also feel refreshed when Tuesday rolls around. Sometimes, that means going for a run in the sunshine.Once in a while, I meet friends for long walks and I actually wear appropriate shoes for the occasion (read: not hella-high heels). I often commit to making a plan for the following week while I'm soaking in a tub to remind myself that a schedule doesn't have to be stressful.

    I might spend extra time at the gym since it's usually pretty quiet during prime barbecue times. I've loved incorporating a quiet, solo spa night in my own bathroom, complete with DIY scrubs, masks, and slathering on all those creams sitting patiently in my cabinet. Sometimes, I stock my kitchen with healthy lunch foods for the next week. And some glorious long weekends, taking good care means letting myself sleep in every single morning.

    Whatever it is that feels right and soothing and what my body and over-worked brain needs, I try to do it with intention, make the moment special, and stick to my commitment to be good to myself. It doesn't have to be a big deal or complicated, but it does have to just be for me.

    Whether you spent some of your time off revving up your exercise routine or simply spending five minutes meditating, how did you choose to be healthy and well this holiday weekend?

    And if you didn't this time around, how would you like to take good care on your next extra day off?



    [photo credit: Getty Images]

     

    16 comments

    • Khulna
      Khulna  •  1 year 11 months ago
      et
    • YumYum
      YumYum  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I was in San Diego (Mission Bay) for the weekend w/ my hubby and 12 year old son. Beach, sun, boating, running, window shopping, room service, and the zoo. Perfect!
    • Maryliz
      Maryliz  •  1 year 11 months ago
      Had a bbq and swimming party with great friends, indulged in some delicious grilled food and beer. Made up for it by swimming laps and going for a jog the next morning. Took a bubble bath and laid on the couch almost all day Monday. It was fabulous!
    • Julia
      Julia  •  2 years 0 months ago
      long walks, 12 mile run, elliptical and weights at the gym, farmers market, lots of veggies, napping, giggling. Great weekend it was
    • curious 1
      curious 1  •  2 years 0 months ago
      Let me try this again since my 1st post hasn't shown up yet.
      My son, his girfriend and I participated in my subdivision's annual Garage Sale. I sold some stuff, met all kinds of people, even some neighbors for the first time. We had a Blast! I took my doggies for longer walks, slept a little later each morning, went to the gym a few times, made a new baked egg&veggie recipe: Muffin Frittas.YUM! YUM!
      On Monday afternoon, I sat on my porch, drank lemonade and listened to the rain. That evening I watched the Blackhawks and Phillies w/friends.
      It was a fun,busy weekend.
    • Paper Aeroplane
      Paper Aeroplane  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I went for a 20 mile bike ride!
    • sita
      sita  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I went out for an early morning run on Saturday with the Hubby and Dog! Watched my portions even while eating out (whoa!). Went for an extra workout at our gym on Monday (hit the weight room after so long), so nice and quiet. Finally weighed myself, after a month and half of not doing it, and came to grips with my recent weight gain. Made a resolution to lose 5lbs buy June 30th and am pumped!! We'll see how that last one goes ;D
    • Brenna Smith
      Brenna Smith  •  2 years 0 months ago
      Exercised each day (ChaLEAN Extreme) and took my family away for a mini getaway to Wilderness at the Smokies
    • opiniononly
      opiniononly  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I played two games of golf, went out to dinner and spontaneous late night dancing, grilled fresh fish and veggies, prayed and gave thanks, spent about an hour cleaning, about 5 hours (total) napping, bought a new bird feeder and spend a chuck of time on the deck watching the birds, talked to friends out of state, watched the local baseball team practice and made a new friend, called my folks for a long chat and made lots of love with my beloved SO. The long weekend was wonderful.
    • k8blujay
      k8blujay  •  2 years 0 months ago
      Usually, I go to my Zumba class on Saturday mornings, and then on Sunday I go to church to fellowship and spiritually recharge with friends. I try to have most if not all of my chores done so I can have the whole weekend to myself and do what I want to do.

      This past weekend however, my exercise plans did not go accordingly (partly due to us not being at home this past weekend and spending it out of town with family)... So I tried to at least eat right. Hopefully, the next long weekend, I will be able to at least get in one session of Zumba and make sure I have healthy alternatives to whatever I eat (which is only hard at my in-laws house).
    • Lil Bear
      Lil Bear  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I walked around a giant flea market for 4 hours with my husband and bought myself some old perfume bottles. I collect them.
    • darkshadow300200
      darkshadow300200  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I went to a memorial day service at our local park. It was very moving and I felt very patriotic. and I also went for walk with my bf and had a great day and one day went to my parents house and hung out a bit. VERY ENJOYABLE WEEKEND, AND I DID NOT WANT IT TO END. but it is over. gotta go back to work eventually.
    • JenniferR
      JenniferR  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I ran 3 miles each day (9 miles total), ate lots of fruit and veggies, laughed a ton with friends, went shopping, played badmitton, and walked everywhere!
    • New England Babe
      New England Babe  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I planted veggies in my garden and flowers on my deck. I took a bubble bath every night. I let my hubby fetch things for me when I was working in the garden and rub lotion on my back after my bubble baths. I never let him do anything like that but for some reason I just couldn't tear myself from the dirt. I really enjoyed my kids, hubby and puppy.

      Memorial Day weekend is the weekend I start to plant my garden and we do no more than go out for ice cream.
    • Ace
      Ace  •  2 years 0 months ago
      I finally got a chance to visit one of my best friends! We talk nearly every day, but haven't hung out in over 6 months. It was so nice to have a girls weekend, complete with chick flicks, pedis, and lots of catching up. I'm beat from the long drive, but I'm so relaxed.
    • Elizabeth
      Elizabeth  •  2 years 0 months ago
      Finally got to the bathroom and destroyed it. Pulled everything out and organized into small baskets of like kind. Then washed down and painted. My son regrouted around the tub. I was exhausted but very happy. It was bothering me for awhile.
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