When you’re at school or work, it might be easier to stick to your diet, because you’re too busy to think about eating.

But what about on the weekend? We know we ought to hit the gym or go buy healthful food at the grocery store, but the couch and that bag of chips are irresistible.

Here are some tried-and-true tips to keeping active on the weekend, to help you lose those few extra pounds, or just to maintain your healthy weight.

1. Walk, rather than drive.

If you have a bunch of errands to run on Saturday, walk or ride your bike instead of driving. And bring a bottle of water instead of Gatorade or a soda. If one of your errands is the grocery store, make sure to eat BEFORE you go. Never shop hungry!

2. Clean your room.

Health experts say that you can burn a lot of calories just cleaning house. So grab that vacuum and your iPod and get to cleaning!

3. Play.

That’s right: play! Plan a day of play with your younger siblings, or your own kids. Run around outside playing tag, duck duck goose, or hide and seek. This is my very favorite way to get winded.

4. Work in the yard.

Someone has to mow the lawn, weed the garden, rake the leaves, or shovel the snow. Why not you? It’s a great way to spend time outside, and burn calories at the same time.

5. Hit the beach.

Pack a bag with sunscreen, water, and fresh fruit, then hit the beach! But instead of laying in the sand, play beach volleyball or go for a swim.

6. Get creative at the gym.

It’s hard to be inspired at the gym when you do the same workout all the time. Try taking a class on Saturdays with a couple of girlfriends.

7. Play inside, too.

There are lots of indoor gyms that offer all kinds of fun activities, like rock climbing walls. But you can also get a good workout at the roller skating rink or even playing paintball or laser tag.

8. Go to the park.

When I was little, I always begged my mother to take me to the park. Admit it! You still like swinging on he swings and climbing on the monkey bars! I know I still do…

9. Run.

Running is great cardio exercise. Run a little more each weekend, then sign up for a 5k run to benefit breast cancer research in the spring. You’ll be amazed how well you will do!

10. Volunteer.

The weekend is a great time to volunteer with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. So get off the couch and burn some calories by helping build a house! You’ll feel good inside and out.

What do you like to do on the weekend that helps you stay slim and healthy? How do you resist the temptation to stay on the couch watching re-runs of Grey’s Anatomy? Please share!