How did you get rid of your "weekend eating" mentality?

I would love to know, that is a huge challenge of mine.

Keep your weight loss goals in the top of your head....Check into MFP more than once daily, workout (working out always supresses my appetite)

I still have the weekend eating mentality but I also keep it to one meal not the weekend.

I made small adjustments week to week. The easiest, by far, was cutting out alcohol on the weekends, or limiting it to a drink or two (max). Lots of empty calories in those pint glasses, unfortunately. Another small adjustment could be replacing fries w/ a salad. Stepping up my exercise definitely helps by giving me a handful of extra calories for the day and keeping me occupied and not snacking throughout the day. Plan a good hike or bike ride. It doesn't have to be intense at all. Enjoy the scenery and soak it all in. Bottom line is that you're not eating when your busy.

I have a small cheat weekend, where I just don't track every calorie but keep my weight loss goals in mind so I don't stray too far.
I also feel pretty guilty and crappy after I cheat so on Monday I am ready to get back on track

Monday is also my weigh in day! Keeps me focused on that day..and what I need to do!

This weekend will be hard for me! My fave is Easter candy! But I've decided that what i'm bringing to the family dinner is a healthy option compared to the fried chicken that is being made!
I have to remember that I only live once and I CAN have a dessert but that I don't NEED to eat everything that is there just because it's there!

Best thing to do, especially in the beginning, is to plan weekend meals and snacks (this has really helped me)--even if you're planning to go out and eat. Calculate the calories ahead of time, and stick to it... leave however many calories you think you might need for a drink or whatever you would normally treat yourself to on the weekends free (or plan that too!).. .and hold yourself accountable! Share your plan with us in your blog, etc... that way we can give support until it becomes easier!

The thing that really makes me splurge on weekends is keeping things in the house that I know I would snack on and that I know aren't good for me, so now I just don't buy those kinds of things anymore. Also having a fixed weekend workout plan helps too--this way you could eat a little more if you wanted to.

Great topic!! The weekend is terrible for me too!! Always something fun to do on the weekend and food and drinks are always involved. How do you stay focused? I have come a good way, so this weekend thing bothers me.

I stick to the same game plan but also have "back up" plans- making me really flexible.

Plan A
I wake up early- not as early as during the week but still about 8ish. I have my breakfast definitely later than norm, but still solid and filling. I let it settle and do some form of workout (even if that's just walking a couple miles with the boy). I snackity snack like I would at work- mostly veg, some protein, stuff like that. Keeping lunch light, I experiment with a new dinner feeding us both and have an extra sugary treat on hand for the boy so he doesn't complain about my portion sizing Often will have a treat like Cheez its or popcorn for watching TV with.

Plan B
I wake up a little later than average, do my workout immediately. Don't have breakfast until about 10 or so and make it just a bit bigger than normal. Still snack throughout the afternoon, but skip a traditional 'lunch' in favor of a big meal about about 4:30/5- boy and I will have a treat meal and get to have fun, but not go extremely over my cals. Milkshakes and copious amounts of chocolate are often involved


Plan C:
Throw it to the wind- something is going down- wedding or major holiday. Eat as best I can before any event, get in big workout, focus on 1 major treat and make room for it. Try to make as best decisions as I can with what's at hand.

Anyways, I hope this helps gives you ideas how you can work around any schedule, any situation and still have some fun with your food choices.

Best,
~Gonks

I double up on exercise on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. That reduces the opportunity for leisure eating and makes things like pizza less appealing (b/c I'm so stoked about fitness that I don't even really want it). Also the double calorie burn gives me room to be a little less careful.

Also, Saturday a.m. is my official weigh-in. That helps a lot to keep me focused through the weekend.

Well, it´s not only weekends, really, it´s something that happens whenever someone invites you over to eat, or you go out to eat, or there´s a party, or a get-together.... I hit rock bottom this January, when I joined MFP, because Christmas was over, and there were still way too many special occasions, I got sick and tired of eating differently when I ate out, and decided to keep it normal all the time (be careful with portions, eat only what I´m really hungry for, etc.) That way I don´t just stuff myself with hors d'oeuvres, I choose the ones I like the best carefully, etc. I decided to close that over-excited valve that wants to eat everything when it´s a "special" occasion.

I believe my 1st 3 months was the hardest. Come the weekend & I would tell myself that it was ok. As I increase my workout routines I found my performance to be sluggish & was harder for me..So I realized when I was training my physical state I have to train my mental state. When eatintg out, I found the majority of food establishments are real flexable w/ their menus. Even when attending parties it easy for me to chose what is good & what is not.......It is a matter reprograming your thoughts. GOOD LUCK......P.S.......I'll have a piece of something sweet once or twice a month........

I was a total weekend binge eater and I still cannot even explain how I got round it? I guess once I got into the habit of keeping to my calories at the weekend it became habit?

I have to be strict with myself at weekends (I plan my weekend meals on a Friday and do no deviate) However I make sure I factor in enough exercise so I cab have a few glasses of wine.

The trick for me is not to drink too much alcohol (that was always my trigger to overeat - and I'd then have the hangover mucnhies the next day!)

I plan all my meals for the day in my food diary, I do this everyday. Then it helps me plan a menu and then I can make adjustments where needed. Switch rice to a potato, cereal to bacon and eggs, etc. You can really eat alot if you just plan right

The key is to plan ahead. Plan what meals you want to cook and plan in advance if you plan on eating out, where you might go, etc. Also, keep busy. I find that if I'm sitting around doing nothing, I tend to snack more. So, I try to go out and do things or find engaging things to do at home to keep myself busy.