How do you guys manage to stay on track during weekends?

kaylabrose

During the week I'm fine, have breakfast, go to work, come home to lunch, have dinner. Everything's okay.

Then comes Friday night... takeaway, bar of chocolate (220grams), ice cream.

Then comes Saturday... takeaway, bar of chocolate (220grams), ice cream

Sunday... takeaway, bar of chocolate (220grams) ice cream.

I basically remove all progress I've made and by monday have gained an extra 2-3kg's I need to get rid of. I live with a family of professional body builder males who eat junk during the weekend, then hardly anything/clean during the week and I've managed to convince myself (as well as them convincing me, lol) that I can do the same when I obviously can't.

So my question, how do I stop piling crap into my mouth EVERY weekend, how do I break this habit? I don't know how to eat in moderation, it's all or nothing.

cnice321

Weekends are tough, especially because that's when I socialize and indulge. Three things have helped: 1) weekend workouts. Gives me more calories to work with. 2) checking restaurant menus and making decisions before I go out. 3) don't buy into the theory of free days. There are no free days! Free days make people think its ok to have whatever and how much they want. Don't be afraid to treat yourself every once in awhile (the more you deny, the weaker it makes your will), but set your limits before you indulge and log the calories first! Good luck on your fitness journey.

lemonyposset

I've found whats helped me is to plan ahead for the weekends.
And also to weigh in on a Friday morning. That way, if I see a loss it motivates me to keep going through the weekend.
If theres no loss I know I have to knuckle down and get a loss for the following Friday.

alisonlynn1976

I go to the gym first thing each day so I get that out of the way.

As far as eating during social occasions, I don't deprive myself, but I don't overdo it either. Why does it have to be "all or nothing"?

dexter4564

My weekends usually involve lots of drinking and not enough eating. Can't be too healthy, but my weight is the same on monday as it was on friday.

hardlyhappenstance

I workout Monday through Friday and count calories Monday through Saturday.

On Sunday, I don't count or exercise, but I don't go crazy either.. I just let myself eat the extra slice of bread or have a bottle of beer or glass of wine or maybe dessert, but I don't binge.

I think if I deprived myself completely I would end up cheating a little every day, so if I give myself a day off from worrying about it all then I feel rewarded for my efforts.

Rarity2013

I had very noble intentions when I started that I wouldn't let the weekends be a massive binge-session, but the moment I'm sat at home with my husband, treats ensue.

What I've done, is try to track all my weekend calories religiously (although I often don't even log in on Saturday and/or Sunday). This gives me a complete picture of what I do to myself over the weekend. I've found that after a month, I'm now starting to actively eat less over the weekend without denying myself anything. The awareness of the calories I'm likely to consume in beer or at a pub meal means I question "do I really want that?" each time something is offered.

From what you describe, the first thing I'd look at cutting down on is takeaways. Think of what you could do with the money you'd be saving if you only had one a week.

OfficerFuzzy

Planning a head.
I don't get take aways, being poor and such, but on days I know I'm going out I try to pre-log in the morning when I wake up.
Starting the day with focus helps me stay focused the rest of the day.

I also mainly sleep on my weekends, so...you know, it's a struggle. >.>

SenseiCole

I have this rule that I personal stick too

I can have anything I want to eat or drink, so long as I have the cals to cover it

If I want it and I don't have the cals, I jump on the treadmill and I earn the cals

today I earnt over 500 Cals so I can have that 200ml bottle of wine and the 15gm of choc if I want



anyone can add me

bfridey

I agree, it is super hard on the weekend. I'm really lazy so if I don't have something pre-prepared, I'll binge on junk.
My first rule is that I don't buy junk. No biscuits. No chips/crisps. No chocolate (i buy Cacao powder & would have to make brownies from scratch). No processed junk. So it's hard to get a quick fix. The worst I could do is make a low fat chai latte or hot chocolate, or a spoon of peanut butter & that's not too bad.

Every Sunday, I cook 2-3 (vegetarian) meals and some veg side dishes and prepare quinoa or brown rice. Then I make up a weeks worth of portion controlled dishes so that I don't HAVE to cook when I get home late and don't feel like cooking at all.
I also have a juicer so I can make a healthy juice, or fresh fruit on hand for a quick snack.

The same works for the weekend. I can either cook enough to spare through Saturday and add something else to it to make it feel a bit 'cheaty' on the weekend i.e. have a healthy dinner and make a protein dessert (see www.proteinpow.com for awesome recipes).
OR I buy Weis icecream bars which are very little calories each and my husband have one Saturday & Sunday for dessert.
Its a lovely treat but each bar is portion controlled and I think around 180cals so not naughty at all!

I also know the healthy take out options (Japanese is very healthy... Indian is not) so I make the right choices where I go.
If i'm going to a restaurant for a friends birthday/function, I check their website ahead of time and decide based on assumed calories once punched into myfitnesspal, what i'm going to order- then I am not tempted to give in and grab something super-size or unclean.
Believe me, it's all about willpower. and my problem is I LOVE FOOD!!!
Hope this helps.

kaylabrose

I have this rule that I personal stick too

I can have anything I want to eat or drink, so long as I have the cals to cover it

If I want it and I don't have the cals, I jump on the treadmill and I earn the cals

today I earnt over 500 Cals so I can have that 200ml bottle of wine and the 15gm of choc if I want



anyone can add me

This is actually a pretty amazing mindset. I'm going to try it from now on, thank you! adding!

kaylabrose

I agree, it is super hard on the weekend. I'm really lazy so if I don't have something pre-prepared, I'll binge on junk.
My first rule is that I don't buy junk. No biscuits. No chips/crisps. No chocolate (i buy Cacao powder & would have to make brownies from scratch). No processed junk. So it's hard to get a quick fix. The worst I could do is make a low fat chai latte or hot chocolate, or a spoon of peanut butter & that's not too bad.

Every Sunday, I cook 2-3 (vegetarian) meals and some veg side dishes and prepare quinoa or brown rice. Then I make up a weeks worth of portion controlled dishes so that I don't HAVE to cook when I get home late and don't feel like cooking at all.
I also have a juicer so I can make a healthy juice, or fresh fruit on hand for a quick snack.

The same works for the weekend. I can either cook enough to spare through Saturday and add something else to it to make it feel a bit 'cheaty' on the weekend i.e. have a healthy dinner and make a protein dessert (see www.proteinpow.com for awesome recipes).
OR I buy Weis icecream bars which are very little calories each and my husband have one Saturday & Sunday for dessert.
Its a lovely treat but each bar is portion controlled and I think around 180cals so not naughty at all!

I also know the healthy take out options (Japanese is very healthy... Indian is not) so I make the right choices where I go.
If i'm going to a restaurant for a friends birthday/function, I check their website ahead of time and decide based on assumed calories once punched into myfitnesspal, what i'm going to order- then I am not tempted to give in and grab something super-size or unclean.
Believe me, it's all about willpower. and my problem is I LOVE FOOD!!!
Hope this helps.

It does! thank you very much - I can tell you've done a ton of research, good luck with your weight loss :-)

Thanks to all who replied xo

rotill

I do it by making my "bad choices" really worth it. If I am to have chocolate, it will be the very best chocolate I can possibly find - which means I can't have as much, as it's expensive. Also, really good, dark chocolate tastes so intensely that I don't need as much! Same with take-away, if I have it, it's from the thai joint where I know they make the stir-fry from fresh goods for each order, or the sushi-place where I can get brown rice rather than white. This way I may go over, but what I get is healthy and nutritious, and it fills me up in a good way. That makes it easier to not overdo it, and it breaks the habit of eating junk without making me feel like I am missing anything.

Because, face it, most men can eat and burn a lot more than women, even without the extra boost they get from the larger muscle mass. Life is unfair that way. If we had still been hunter-gatherers, the guys would envy our more efficient bodies, and we could revel in how we store fat and survive long-term stress. But that's not what our current culture needs, so it's an obsolete survival trait at the moment.

Another thing though: It's week-end! You have time to cook great food! Why waste that opportunity on crappy take-away?

Velum_cado

I just go with it. I just stay at a deficit during the week which will allow me to loosen the reins a bit during the weekends. I don't gorge myself, but I allow myself that chocolate bar and the pizza. I also make sure I'm getting a good workout in on those days and drinking lots of water.

Montarosa456

I do it by making my "bad choices" really worth it. If I am to have chocolate, it will be the very best chocolate I can possibly find

Because, face it, most men can eat and burn a lot more than women,

These are two really good points! I love chocolate and treats and ensure that I workout hard and earn those treats..
Instead of a bar of chocolate I enjoy a few squares of really intense dark chocolate or frozen yoghurt (Ben&Jerry's do a amazing chocolate brownie) which is lower fat, lower calories and just as satisfying.
Plus as I have more time over the weekend, I ensure that I have one 'full on' burn day when I burn 800+ and then enjoy a weekend treat...
Hope this helps

pinkraynedropjacki

Easy, it's just another day. Nothing should change on a weekend.

alwayskungfu

Just up the activity at the weekend, go hike up a mountain, bike 20 miles on a trail, garden all day, have a swim and hit the gym whatever floats your boat, I often go off track at the weekends, but lifestyle change is a long road, you will not undo 5 days hard work with 2 bad days, you just slow down your progress, if you are lifting your body will definitely be useng some of those extra calories to repair and build muscle, you may weigh more but it will likely be extra muscle, life is for living as they say, good luck

onwarddownward

So my question, how do I stop piling crap into my mouth EVERY weekend, how do I break this habit? I don't know how to eat in moderation, it's all or nothing.

You listed chocolate bars. I would suggest taking one, breaking it into thirds and giving the parts to a supporter of your plan. Ask them to only give you one each day. Commit to not buying more.

I workout in the pool swimming laps at six am every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This reminds me how much food "costs" in terms of my weight.

If you are eating well five days a week, then you have half the battle licked. Tell those around you that you're in food rehab and to not eat tempting stuff around you. You're an addict, so they need to take their drugs (junk food) away from you.

I had to do the same. Research foods and journal them BEFORE they go in your mouth.

If I know I'm going out on sat. or sun., I journal the whole meal on Friday, so that I know what adjustments to make during those days. Then, the only thing is sticking to your decided plan and portion size.

Friend me if you would like to. I'm glad to help along your path.

Jan

pinkraynedropjacki

Actually I'd suggest just not buying the crap you put in your mouth & try some damn willpower. If you can't even stop buying it then why bother asking how to stop eating it?

onwarddownward

Actually I'd suggest just not buying the crap you put in your mouth & try some damn willpower. If you can't even stop buying it then why bother asking how to stop eating it?

Because we live in a world where this stuff is abundantly available. We have to conquer it's power over us. We do that by not saying "never" but saying, "this much and no more, right now".

kellster111

Try the intermintant fasting diet. You fast with only 500 calories for 2 days and the you can eat normally for 5 days.There was study done in the UK by a doctor and it worked for him, but I think you will need to moderate what you eat at weekends as it won't offset your binging at weekends.

pinkraynedropjacki

Actually I'd suggest just not buying the crap you put in your mouth & try some damn willpower. If you can't even stop buying it then why bother asking how to stop eating it?

Because we live in a world where this stuff is abundantly available. We have to conquer it's power over us. We do that by not saying "never" but saying, "this much and no more, right now".

It may be available but you are not forced to buy it. That becomes your own doing. No point in asking how to stop eating it if you can't even not buy it.

Hughesers

I have managed by only have a couple of glasses of wine one of the nights, then a few treats the other one. Do heaps more exercise over the week and save 100 to 150 calories every day before that, then a long brisk walk before a night out gives you the extra calories. If you are having your treat night at home too, just buy in the lower fat crisps and snacks which helps too

Kimberleebennett

Actually I'd suggest just not buying the crap you put in your mouth & try some damn willpower. If you can't even stop buying it then why bother asking how to stop eating it?

Because we live in a world where this stuff is abundantly available. We have to conquer it's power over us. We do that by not saying "never" but saying, "this much and no more, right now".

It may be available but you are not forced to buy it. That becomes your own doing. No point in asking how to stop eating it if you can't even not buy it.

It's not always that easy when you live with others who will buy it and have it in the house.

My partner used to be a body builder too and he has the mindset that I can eat whatever I want in the weekends because that's what he used to do when he was training, It's really hard to turn down food that has been made for you by someone who means well but has no idea.
It has taken me a lot of small changes to get me to the point where I can have all those bad treats in my house and only indulge in moderation. I still struggle on the weekends but I try to exercise more and have those treats but in much smaller servings. I will occasionally have takeaways but a small portion and plan my other meals and exercise around it. The biggest battle is getting over the all or nothing. I've tried just eating clean and it doesn't work for me. I restrict nothing from my diet even during the week but try to create a balance. Small changes work better long term than just cutting everything out. I think those that are "on a diet" are way more likely to gain it all back than those who make positive lifestyle changes over time. I have a sweet tooth and will never stop eating lollies and chocolate so I don't try. I restrict them to what my calories allow and make sure i'm eating good things as well. and getting plenty of exercise.

kaylabrose

Actually I'd suggest just not buying the crap you put in your mouth & try some damn willpower. If you can't even stop buying it then why bother asking how to stop eating it?

Because we live in a world where this stuff is abundantly available. We have to conquer it's power over us. We do that by not saying "never" but saying, "this much and no more, right now".

It may be available but you are not forced to buy it. That becomes your own doing. No point in asking how to stop eating it if you can't even not buy it.

It's not always that easy when you live with others who will buy it and have it in the house.

My partner used to be a body builder too and he has the mindset that I can eat whatever I want in the weekends because that's what he used to do when he was training, It's really hard to turn down food that has been made for you by someone who means well but has no idea.
It has taken me a lot of small changes to get me to the point where I can have all those bad treats in my house and only indulge in moderation. I still struggle on the weekends but I try to exercise more and have those treats but in much smaller servings. I will occasionally have takeaways but a small portion and plan my other meals and exercise around it. The biggest battle is getting over the all or nothing. I've tried just eating clean and it doesn't work for me. I restrict nothing from my diet even during the week but try to create a balance. Small changes work better long term than just cutting everything out. I think those that are "on a diet" are way more likely to gain it all back than those who make positive lifestyle changes over time. I have a sweet tooth and will never stop eating lollies and chocolate so I don't try. I restrict them to what my calories allow and make sure i'm eating good things as well. and getting plenty of exercise.

Brilliant reply, thank you for your support and advice/opinion :-)

onwarddownward

One thing that I do, in a home with my husband, two teen boys and a nine year old daughter (who tend to eat whatever they choose) is to make sure that on weekends, I put my workout as top priority.

We might have family commitments -- that means I need to swim laps for my hour at 6 or 7 am.

As soon as I've finished my swim, a switch gets flipped that says, "THIS is why you're eating right."

At that point, even the most tempting things (and I won't post them here and risk triggering you all), become less attractive in light of preserving my routine.

Sure, I could workout again, but it's not good for me, at this point, to put two hours in the pool just to allow binges. That makes the exercise a purge and cuts down the time I have for muscle recovery.

Jan

capriqueen

Actually I find the weekends easier to stay on track. On weekdays I find little time to exercise, and I come home late so my timings are messed up.

But on days with treats and stuff, I decide to finish my cardio/strength routine first thing in the morning, so that it regulates my appetite for the rest of the day. I find it easier to stay on track after a workout,because it kills all boredom eating symptoms.

Also, if I'm in the mood for some treats, I make them myself, so that I know what I'm putting in. Then I adjust my calories to fit it in.
Sometimes an evening walk helps clear my head and get my mind off of food.

pinkraynedropjacki

Actually I'd suggest just not buying the crap you put in your mouth & try some damn willpower. If you can't even stop buying it then why bother asking how to stop eating it?

Because we live in a world where this stuff is abundantly available. We have to conquer it's power over us. We do that by not saying "never" but saying, "this much and no more, right now".

It may be available but you are not forced to buy it. That becomes your own doing. No point in asking how to stop eating it if you can't even not buy it.

It's not always that easy when you live with others who will buy it and have it in the house.

My partner used to be a body builder too and he has the mindset that I can eat whatever I want in the weekends because that's what he used to do when he was training, It's really hard to turn down food that has been made for you by someone who means well but has no idea.
It has taken me a lot of small changes to get me to the point where I can have all those bad treats in my house and only indulge in moderation. I still struggle on the weekends but I try to exercise more and have those treats but in much smaller servings. I will occasionally have takeaways but a small portion and plan my other meals and exercise around it. The biggest battle is getting over the all or nothing. I've tried just eating clean and it doesn't work for me. I restrict nothing from my diet even during the week but try to create a balance. Small changes work better long term than just cutting everything out. I think those that are "on a diet" are way more likely to gain it all back than those who make positive lifestyle changes over time. I have a sweet tooth and will never stop eating lollies and chocolate so I don't try. I restrict them to what my calories allow and make sure i'm eating good things as well. and getting plenty of exercise.

Yeah it is. Try living with 2 adult males. Easy to not eat it. There is constant ice cream, chocolate & chips. Hell... there is even always my fave cookies. Have not touched them once. Easy.

Using the fact others buy it for themselves & then that forces you to eat it really is a pathetic excuse. Once again.... you are not forced to eat it at all.

zoodocgirl

Actually I'd suggest just not buying the crap you put in your mouth & try some damn willpower. If you can't even stop buying it then why bother asking how to stop eating it?

Because we live in a world where this stuff is abundantly available. We have to conquer it's power over us. We do that by not saying "never" but saying, "this much and no more, right now".

It may be available but you are not forced to buy it. That becomes your own doing. No point in asking how to stop eating it if you can't even not buy it.

It's not always that easy when you live with others who will buy it and have it in the house.

My partner used to be a body builder too and he has the mindset that I can eat whatever I want in the weekends because that's what he used to do when he was training, It's really hard to turn down food that has been made for you by someone who means well but has no idea.
It has taken me a lot of small changes to get me to the point where I can have all those bad treats in my house and only indulge in moderation. I still struggle on the weekends but I try to exercise more and have those treats but in much smaller servings. I will occasionally have takeaways but a small portion and plan my other meals and exercise around it. The biggest battle is getting over the all or nothing. I've tried just eating clean and it doesn't work for me. I restrict nothing from my diet even during the week but try to create a balance. Small changes work better long term than just cutting everything out. I think those that are "on a diet" are way more likely to gain it all back than those who make positive lifestyle changes over time. I have a sweet tooth and will never stop eating lollies and chocolate so I don't try. I restrict them to what my calories allow and make sure i'm eating good things as well. and getting plenty of exercise.

Yeah it is. Try living with 2 adult males. Easy to not eat it. There is constant ice cream, chocolate & chips. Hell... there is even always my fave cookies. Have not touched them once. Easy.

Using the fact others buy it for themselves & then that forces you to eat it really is a pathetic excuse. Once again.... you are not forced to eat it at all.

Really, supporting someone to be strong is one thing. You're just being a ****.
If making super-fantastical eating and fitness choices was easy as pie for everyone, none of us would be here and this site wouldn't exist. And as another poster said, life is still for living. Food and cooking is my number one passion and hobby. If I cut out all the delicious treats entirely, I'd truly just be sad. Learning to enjoy things in healthy moderation is a much more realistic lifestyle for those of us in the 99%. Enjoy your elite nutritional supergod status.

Derpes

To be honest, I SUCK on the weekends due to a lack of planning.

For example, I was out of town all day on a one day road trip. I ate terribly.

Had I planned better, I could have avoided it.

I have gotten better in regards to the weekends but it is easy to fall into an eating pit.

Damage control works for me; I might go over but I am not blowing my intake out of the water.