Weekend Weight Gain

juliep1

I don't care how good I have been during the week. Weekends are terrible for my diet. I go out to catch up with friends and have a couple of beers or a couple of glasses of wine and my diet starts to get messed up. I go out to eat and try to be careful, but I can't really be careful enough.
Of course my motivation to work out is pretty low, because I work hard during the week. I like to catch up on TV/movies and sleep in. It's so hard to get outside or two the gym. I end up eating pretty nasty while on the couch too.
How can I get out of these (admittedly multiple) bad weekend habits? I know what I should do, but I need motivation HELP.

UCONNCOED

Seriously.... I just wrote a blog about the same thing! I KNOW what to do (because I do it all week) but I really dont do it! Try and start with a small goal like drinking all your water. Or making at least A BETTER, bad weekend choice! Good luck. Its tough! If you find the motivation... please share

lt_mrcook

Find a running or biking club and join them FIRST on the weekend. Saturday mornings are very popular for runs/rides. Don't plan on starting YOUR weekend until Saturday night, that way it will only be one night and not Friday AND Saturday nights. Ask your friends who you want to catch up with to join you for a walk or run or something active outside, vice drinks and food. You are in control. You are the motivation. Remember why you started and never forget it! Be the designated driver and get free diet coke (lots of bars do this) or drink water. Eat something with high fiber, a little fat, and protein before you go out so that you aren;t overly hungry when you get somewhere, then you can order better.

Don;t make excuses. Take control! Grab life by the balls and don't let go until it gives you what YOU want! If you know what to do during the week, stop the BS about it being so hard on the weekend and get to doin it!

Not trying to be mean, but if you just sit around and complain about how you can't then you won't.

YOU can and YOU will!

NOW GO ROCK THIS WEEKEND!!!

sechmanojo

You could let your friends know that you are doing MFP and you will still go out, but only drink ice tea or water with lemon....It might not sound fun, but sometimes it is just having a drink in your hand that makes you feel included. Still eat out but commit to only eating at least one meal at home each day and make it a light low calorie tomatoe, cucumber and carrot salad. Then still eat out and eat what you want cause you ate so few calories at lunch. Also IF I know I am going out with friends I will MAKE SURE to eat low calorie meals for breakfast and lunch and no snacks so I can have that dessert after dinner! You could see if one day your friends want to go do something acitve with you as an activity so you can still spend time together but not have to work out. I love to watch movies on the weekend too. Just clear your cupboards of the wrong snacks and put the right ones in there. Like low calorie popcorn, cut up sweet fruit insted of candy. pineapple is like candy seriously so sweet and it satifies my sweet tooth and I don't want anymore candy after a few bites. Just some ideas! You can do it!

NykkieC

Hmm, maybe someone could make a "Weekend Warrior" group to keep people motivated? Weekends are by far the worst for me, Saturdays especially as I just kind of let myself go and I undo everything I worked for during the week!

I would join a group for that for sure!

juliep1

Thanks these are some great comments and for the encouragement!! I'm not trying to complain, just trying to hear about some ideas people may have. I know some people have crazy amounts of energy/motivation, but that is not realistic for all of us ALL of the time.

Also, I'm always hesitant to say things like "I can't eat this or I can't drink that because I'm on a diet." Most good friends understand, but it can be a very Debbie Downer kind of move when people are out just trying to relax and have a good time. I had a friend a while back who came over to a party I was throwing, and when I offered her a drink she snaped at me and said "I'm on Weight Watchers. I can't drink." It was pretty obnoxious. There's gotta be a better way to navigate this situation. I agree that being the DD is a great way to stay on track. Having that additional responsibility (IE. your friend's lives) is an excellent motivator.

I wish I could join an exercise group Saturday mornings, but that I have extremely low motivation for. It's a good idea though, and I'll try and find something that could be interesting. There is a Bikram Yoga place that I go to sometimes, maybe i'll make Saturday my Bikram day!

I would love a Weekend Warrior group. How do you start one up?

browneyedbug

I was on a weight loss challenge for Sparks people - a free on line program similar to this - and I lost the most weight in one month by weighing every Friday and posting it. I think the reason why is because I really tried hard not to blow it during the week so that by Friday I was down from the previous week. That made it easier to go easier on myself during the weekends because that's what we need to do - go easy on ourselves. Not that I totally blew it on the weekends - I just knew I could rein i my food and drink intake in by really going for it beginning Monday morning.

sechmanojo

you don't have to snap, say it in a nice way and don't make a big deal about it, say what you are doing and only give an explanation if they ask. If you are trying to do something good in your life your friends should understand. If people feel like your being a downer...that is their problem. Be happy and confident about your choices. If they don't understand...then are they true friends?

FabulousFifty

Hi!
I had this same problem and began taking part in the Skinny Satuday Challenge on MFP. Why not join us today?

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/86150-skinny-saturday-challenge-anyone-4

All the best,
Fab:flowerforyou: