Cold. Dark. Long.
By the time we get there, most people are feeling run down—not because training is too hard, but because life feels heavier this time of year. That’s why I’m intentional about how I use my weekends: not to do nothing, but to reset, recover, and set myself up for another strong week ahead.
Here’s what a typical weekend actually looks like for me.
The Weekend Still Starts With My Morning Routine
Weekdays and Weekends look completely different for me. During the week I’m up at 5am but on the weekend I get to “sleep in”. Sleeping doesn’t mean sleeping in until noon, more likely 6:00-6:30am. Weekends are the break I need to anchor and keep me sane.
Lately my mornings look like this:
- Wake up around 6:00am
- Simple light Workout for 20 min
- 15 minutes in the sauna at 75-85 degree celcius
That’s it. Nothing fancy.
Training early keeps the habit intact, and the sauna helps me downshift afterward—especially during the coldest month of the year. It’s recovery, but it’s also mental. I start the day feeling like I’ve already done something hard and productive. The rest of the day is bonus
Real Life Still Happens (And That’s the Point)
After training, it’s straight into dad mode of three kids.
- Bring my son to hockey to a 7,8 or 9am practice depending on the week
- Batch cook a bunch of food for the week, this includes at least 3 meats and 3 different coloured vegetables
- Laundry (wash, dry, actually fold it which I hate more than anything)
This stuff isn’t glamorous, but it needs to get done for the week ahead. When food is prepped and clothes are ready, the week feels lighter. Less stress = better sleep, better training, better decisions.
Staying Busy ≠ Burning Out
Once the basics are handled, I stay active—but not in a “grind” way.
I’ll tackle small home projects because:
- Kids break things around the house constantly
- It feels good to fix or build something with my hands
Recently, I built my daughter a small wooden dog house… for her stuffed animal. I am by no means an expert or a carpenter but the roof opens up and she loves the fact that she got to paint it herself. It was completely unnecessary but completely worth it.
This kind of movement keeps me engaged without feeling like work. I’m moving, thinking, creating—but my nervous system isn’t fried.
Community Still Matters—Even Indoors
One thing we’re lucky to have is friendly neighbours with with friends nearby. During winter, that means a lot of indoor playdates.
The kids stay active and social.
The house stays loud.
Everyone’s happier (parents included).
Movement and connection don’t stop just because it’s cold outside.
Recovery Doesn’t Mean Inactivity
By the end of the day, I’ve usually logged 11,000–12,000 steps without trying to “exercise more.”
I’m tired—but in a good way.
The evening is simple:
- Watch some sports or TV
- Wind down
- Get ready for bed
No guilt. No pressure to optimize everything.
The Big Takeaway
Recovery isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing the right things.
For me, weekends in February are about:
- Keeping my routine
- Taking care of future me
- Staying active without forcing intensity
- Being present with my family
In the future when my kids are older I would love to get back into Saturday morning workouts at the gym. They are one of my favourite times to be at the gym. The community at Actus is #1 and I miss it now that my son constantly has early morning workouts.
The first two rules at CrossFit Actus:
Consistency beats intensity. Something is better than nothing.
If your weekends help you feel ready for Monday, you’re doing it right. If you would like to talk about how to change your lifestyle please feel free to reach out here.