Sneaking Health in Unexpected Places

It’s spring, which means that finally, finally, you can surrender your winter jacket.  Goodbye, sucka (we picture Bruce Willis saying this).  Beyond this optimistic tidbit of information, it also means that we under-vacationed Canadians take a holiday or two.  Long weekends in these warmer months are a true sign that our pale faces will soon be kissed by sunshine and we can rest a little.  

But we all know that “resting” sometimes means drinking. A tipple can be fun, but we don’t want to pack away enough beer to deserve a beer gut, present or future.

The long weekend is meant for relaxing and fully unplugging from the circuitry of one’s own brain.  Waking up at a cottage or even at home definitely means time to enjoy a sunset, or a longer run.  Or it can mean nachos with dip, beer, and sitting long enough to have your hips hurt.  To find the balance that will allow you to still feel like you come Tuesday we’ve got you covered. Here are some ideas:

1) Drink slowly.  If you’re never finished your drink, that “well intentioned” friend of yours that often suggests “just one more” (for the fifth time), can hear the conversation stopping, “I’m still working on this one.”

2) Even better - mocktails.  In between your alcoholic beverages, have a splash of club soda and some lemons…in a martini glass.  All that matters is that you are participating, and you will remain a mystery when people wonder how you have enough energy for a morning run after the wild evening.  Because you are magical.  Like a unicorn.

3) Continue to exercise.  If rest is the name of the weekend, cool.  Tone down your workouts and move from Crossfit to swimming or yoga or hiking.  Move the bod.  Because it feels good, but also because it will prevent you from quenching your boredom with more beer.

4) Cook. And don’t tell everyone that you substituted yogurt for mayonnaise, or turkey bacon for piggy bacon.  Just make it taste awesome so people feel that they aren’t denying themselves the pleasure of being gluttons. 

In any case, enjoy the full glory of the long weekend and remember how important it is to maintain the “life” part of the “work life balance” preached at company team building events.   

Cheers.

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Courtney Sunday has two cats and a boyfriend who are very patient with her health and wellness obsessions. She teaches yoga, Pilates and indoor cycling and gives Thai massages through her Toronto business Om at Home Yoga. When she is tuckered out, she takes up the sport of sleeping.