Weekends

jlwoodmass

I'm trying LCHF again, I always start out really good then just get off track. But looking back I noticed a consistent problem... weekends. When I go to work I only have what I brought to eat. But on weekends I'm out with friends or at home with a lot more options and I don't seem to stick to my LCHF as good. I'm sure it will get better with time, but how do you get through the weekends, especially those first few weekends when starting out?

bowlerae

I have a similar struggle. Weekends are harder for me not because I am going out with friends but because I get caught up playing video games for way too longer and old cravings start to kick in. Ohh the days where I could play video games all weekend and eat an entire pizza on Friday, and have Chinese food and leftovers Saturday and Sunday all the while drinking soda and snacking on Little Debbies. Everything I play I have to battle those cravings. During the week at work I have the lunch I have prepared and any snacks I have brought with me. If I forget to bring my food then I can go out and grab a Jimmy Johns unwhich. On weeks, since I don't go out and likely don't even get out of my PJs, if I don't have food in the house then I am going to get delivery. Nothing is getting me out of my pajamas and out of the house! I am working on changing that and being more active. I was much better when I was going to the gym on weekends because not only did I wake up earlier but I was fully clothed and I could do grocery shopping immediately after the gym. So for me, the best way I stay on track is for me to have groceries in the house and to already have my meals prepped. As for you, going out and about with friends I would say just try to be as prepared as possible. Try to figure out what restaurant you are going to and check their menu online beforehand. Only have snacks in your pantry than are low-carb approved and separate them out into portions ahead of time.

kpk54

jlwoodmass wrote: »

I'm trying LCHF again, I always start out really good then just get off track. But looking back I noticed a consistent problem... weekends. When I go to work I only have what I brought to eat. But on weekends I'm out with friends or at home with a lot more options and I don't seem to stick to my LCHF as good. I'm sure it will get better with time, but how do you get through the weekends, especially those first few weekends when starting out?

It is good you acknowledge the difference between your weekday and weekend eating habits. While you can't always control the situations (parties, eating out, etc) you can control what you put in your mouth.

It comes down to awareness and changing habits. I work at home all day (office in the home). I stay out of the kitchen.

I've been having/attending football parties every weekend. I survey the food choices if hungry, take a small plate, add foods and have my meal. I'm done. I then stay away from all the food and watch the game. No need to eat during every commercial.

I'm headed out to dinner tonight with friends. Even Italian restaurants have low carb/non pasta choices. I've planned ahead and am adjusting my daily intake accordingly.

Your habits are your choice.

Cadori

Weekends used to be a harder time for me too. That was when I wanted to relax and indulge. I had to change that mindset.


For meals:
I IF, so breakfast is just my standard coffee.

Lunch is eggdrop soup or an omelette or fried eggs over veggies or egg salad (we have 12 chickens...lots of eggs) sometimes we go our for bunless burgers. I keep diet soda in the house for Saturday lunches.

For dinner I try to plan for a new recipe or at least a old favorite recipe on the weekends. This last weekend we had a noodle-less lasagna that was pretty good. The weekend before was short ribs with mashed cauliflower and salad. Or we'll have fathead pizza. All these are a little more interesting and decadent feeling than our go-to week night meals.

cstehansen

The at home part is easier than the going out part. Look at it like you would if you were pregnant and had to baby-proof the house. You would get rid of some of those items which would be dangerous. You wouldn't say, "well, this is dangerous and could harm or kill my child, but I don't want to get rid of it. I'll just be really careful." You would just get rid of it.

In the same way, you likely have carbage that is not good for you in your house. Get rid of it. If it isn't there, it isn't a temptation. If there are others in your house not following the same WOE, partition the pantry, refrigerator, etc. such that your food is segregated. Don't even open the cabinets that are not specifically for you. Don't look at the shelves/drawers in the fridge that aren't yours. They are not options.

Ideally, it is best if everyone in your house is eating the same, but I know that is not always realistic. I have a vegetarian (more like pasta-etarian) wife who is slowly coming around to eat better and a pickier than picky 11 yo, who is also slowly expanding her food horizons.

soechsner09

Weekends are always what derailed me in the past, too. I would do awesome all week, and then weekends were filled with eating out, drinking, football parties, you name it! This time around I'm much more aware of my eating on weekends. I still track and stick to my macros. I'm allowing one meal sometime on the weekend that's a bit higher in carbs. Rather than going crazy for 2 days, I enjoy that one meal and make it something really satisfying. My rule now is, it has to be worth it for me to allow it. I enjoy that one meal, and then get back to keto immediately. What I've noticed is it's all in my mindset. It's a choice how strict we want to be with our woe. Temptations aren't easy, but you're the only one that can choose not to indulge.

Hang in there! I know you can do this!