?Fit? needn?t mean deprived

Vrinda Mehta on how to do all the fun stuff on weekends and still feel great and guilt-free the day after.

The last thing most of us want to think about on a weekend is hitting the gym or sticking to diet plans.

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Weekends are about eating out, shopping, watching films or just chilling out with friends. Here are some tips on how to do all the fun stuff and still feel great and guilt-free the day after.

Try to wake up early. Start your day with a glass of warm water with a little lemon and 1 tsp of honey. Make sure you do at least 20 minutes of pranayama (breathing exercises) and mild yoga or stretching on an empty stomach. Also remember to take your vitamins, especially vitamins B and C, with your breakfast or brunch (depending on what time you wake up).

This will really de-toxify your system and help cure a hangover if need be. Walk it off.  Just because it is your gym holiday, does not mean you have to spend the entire day curled up in bed.

Get up and go for a long walk on the beach or walk to your favourite breakfast place and back.

Go to the park to play with your kids or catch up with your friends at the bowling alley. Make sure you work off some of those calories before you indulge.

Knead a massage?: Book yourself for a long massage. It not only eases tension, stiffness and pain but also stimulates blood circulation and assists the lymphatic system, which runs parallel to the circulatory system, improving the elimination of waste throughout the body.

A good massage will leave you completely rejuvenated to take on the week ahead.

Cheat sheet Almost everyone picks Sunday to go off their diets and indulge in the favourite foods they have been avoiding all week.

Though it is important to let go a little once in a while, make sure you do not binge and undo all the hard work you put in at the gym.

Be a smart cheater — stick to a light healthy lunch if you know you will be going out for dinner or vice versa. Retail therapy If you’re allergic to the word exercise or break into a rash every time someone mentions a treadmill over the weekend, there are many other ways to burn those extra calories.

For instance, go with your family or friends to the mall. Walk upright at a decent pace with your abs tucked in tight, carry the shopping bags and take the stairs wherever you go.

Good night’s sleep Much of the body’s healing takes place during sleep. This is the time when your body does major spring cleaning, taking care of the waste that has accumulated during the day and repairing cellular damage.

Just do it To ensure you get eight hours of sound restora tive sleep, try the follow ing tips:

Go to bed as early as possible, say around 10 pm Avoid eating for at least two hours before bed. Make sure you get enough exercise during the day.