Staying on track at the weekends!

sarah_too

During the week i find it quite easy to make healthy choices and plan healthy evening meals for me and my wife who is happy to eat whatever she is given when she gets in from work but at the weekends I feel it all goes to pot and I feel terribly guilty but can't seem to break the habit. When I'm with friends and family I am easily led by what others choose and we seem to make excuses to have "treats" even though I know I will regret it and not even really enjoy it. Due to working at the weekends and wanting to spend time with friends and family I never work out at the weekends (I work out on average 3/4 times a week on weekdays) and therefore also feel that I don't earn any of my weekend "treats" which makes me feel even worse. Every weekend I over-indulge and vow to not make the same choices the next weekend but can't seem to break the cycle. Weekends are also hard when we visit friends who make lunch/dinner for us and I obviously feel I can't say 'no thank you, I don't want to eat that' and equally if someone comes to us for dinner I don't want to serve them something that comes across as overly healthy and small portions which is what we try to stick to in the week. Does anyone else experience this weekend "dip" and have any advice?

JoeCampbell85

I use to and still do experience weekend issues. My girlfriends family is Indian and, while the food is very healthy, the portions are huge with many sides. I enjoy eating with them but dread the resulting calorie increase. In preparation I basically slightly under eat (50-100 calories) everyday of the week to kind of even it out.

But at the end of the day, you still have to make some right choices. You have to turn down the cheese dip or only slightly coat a few chips in it. You have to share your piece of cake instead of eating the whole thing. You have to say "I've had enough."

No 'diet' will be a success if you can't enjoy life while you are on it. You just need to find a happy medium and flex those willpower muscles.

BeginningAgainMay14

You need to have a plan and stick to it. If you're influenced by what the people around you are eating, decide what you're going to eat ahead of time. If you're going to a restaurant, look the menu up online and make your choices, then don't even look at the menu when you're there. If you have a friend that always orders dessert and then you want some, ask to split it. Other people don't need unhealthy habits either.

It is difficult when you are eating at someone else's house. I would eat salad or soup before I left so I'm less hungry and can eat a reasonable amount of food.

When you're the host, though. you're not really committed to this if you can't find a way to serve a meal that your guests will love that will fit into your food plan. Most people consider seafood really luxurious and most of it is very healthy and low calorie. You can serve seared scallops over cauliflower puree, roasted asparagus, and spinach salad, for example. Or grill shish kebab: marinated lamb and lots of veggies. Invite people for brunch instead of dinner and serve whole grain waffles, real maple syrup, greek yogurt, and a dazzling array of fresh fruit. Be imaginative. "I don't want to serve a meal that seems too healthy" is really an excuse because you've gotten used to taking your weekends off. Which do you want more, your "weekend off" or to be slim and healthy?

kacarter1017

I understand you see this as an issue that comes down to wanting to be polite, but I read it as excuses. "Really healthy" food is also "really good" and you should be able to serve it to people without a problem. You can stick to smaller portions and make sure to have enough for them to have more if they choose. How about making some of the time with friends and family an active time? Go for a hike and have a picnic, get a game of kickball/softball/volleyball going, etc. Then you would burn a few calories and wouldn't have to feel so guilty if you did eat a treat. If you're truly dedicated to a healthier lifestyle- and that's what this is all about- own your new lifestyle and find ways to incorporate the choices you make during the week into the weekend. Your friends and family will support you if they know what you're doing.

sshintaku

I had this problem for awhile. I fixed it by:

Eating slightly under calorie goal during the week, mostly by eating only half or so of my exercise calories back.
MAKING myself workout on the weekends, even if it's a 20 minute video.
Walking more places on thhe weekend
Having smaller portions. Don't have seconds, share a piece of cake, have one beer instead of 3.
Eating light for breakfast and lunch if I'm going out to dinner with friends.

sarah_too

Thanks everyone and definitely good for thought re making excuses. I think you are right and maybe just need to be a bit more imaginative when cooking for friends. I certainly know that healthy food can still be delicious so maybe it's time to try out some of the stuff I would make during the week on them too! Thanks again, I feel like I can tackle my weekends now with a new head! :-)

Kalikel

Yup! You just have to make up your mind. No wishy-washy stuff. Either you want to eat things or you don't.

Make a decision and then stick with it. Do what makes you happy.

If you tell your friends and family that you're trying to lose weight, they will probably support you!

Good luck!