A Healthy Weekend
Friday night finds me in bed at 8pm. There are six weeks left in my teaching qualification and, after 10.5 months of reading, workshops and assignments interspersed with 15 weeks of teaching practice (on top of the usual copywriting and kid-wrangling), I’m mentally and emotionally drained.
There have only been two 14-day breaks between the two semesters so mostly I’ve been working seven days a week on six or seven hours sleep each night. So Friday night is a chance to catch up and get nine hours sleep which I do. It’s blissful and restorative. I wish I could sleep that much every night.
Saturday is my regular habit-changing parkrun day. The free five kilometer timed run or walk has transformed me from reluctant, slow and irregular beginner runner to committed runner who’s constantly challenging myself.
Parkrun starts at 7am and checks a few boxes; whether I run 5km or volunteer I get a boost. Being naturally lazy I love volunteering. The run is hard work (I’ve whittled my speed down from 31 to 25 minutes) but when it’s all over I feel grand. Then I have time to socialise with friends, congratulating or encouraging each other then planning our next run.
Breakfast is fruit (today was papaya and passion fruit) with yogurt, nuts, protein powder, chia seeds. I’ll be computer slaving every day until my course is done but leave time for a beach walk with Rich, a friend and/or the kids (if we bribe them!) before night falls.
I’m a domestic horror these days but me or Rich prepare a simple, healthy meal from scratch almost every night.
At the weekends I’m careful to get off my computer by 8pm and read or watch a movie with the family.
Sunday is more of the same; an early morning run with friends while the family sleeps in, more work and then a walk. When my course is over I’ll plan some day trips, go stand up paddle-boarding or organise a barbecue with friends.
In the meantime this seemingly boring routine is helping me stay in shape, sane and strong, both mentally and physically.
I’ll be in bed again at 9pm with the alarm clock set for 4.40am on Monday.
What does a healthy weekend look like for you?
Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
5 Comments
Leave A Comment
Hot Stuff
I start my weekend with a juice cleanse then I go for a run before going to work.
A healthy weekend for me includes yoga, yoga, yoga. Also long walks through the city, preferably ending with a delicious fruit smoothie. ;)
I went on a walk for on Saturday. Was pleased with myself as I covered the distance much quicker than I estimated. I must keep exercising so set goals.
Mine are different every weekend… maybe I do need to get into a routine… BUT yesterday I had a brekky of home made bircher with toasted seeds and coconut… one sick child meant only one kid at sport and a lovely slow start to the day.
Your course has been a marathon not a sprint and you’ve done so well to keep ploughing on.
I am exhausted just reading this! Good for YOU! You must be in the best shape of your life. I didn’t know you went back to school and will be teaching. You’re an inspiration, Annabel!
b