Poor weekend choices and weight gain

You can always do some cardio to earn more calories. Plus, with only 26 lbs. to lose, you can lose at a slightly slower rate and get more calories. Yay for more calories!!

Congrats on your loss.

I eat at maintenance on weekends and cut back a little more during the week. That second part would be tough at 1200 though.

MyNameIsNotBob wrote: »

Look into calorie cycling or intermittent fasting. I eat very low during the week so that I can have larger meals on weekends / social events.

Ditto. I plan my weekly calories around my weekend plans. If I know I have an event or will be eating out, I lower my calories during the week so I have extras on the weekend.

What worked for me was going out and riding a bicycle for an hour or two on the days of the weekends, so I didn't have to stick so close to the goal.

12lb is a fantastic loss - well done! Your weekends can't be effecting your goals very much at all
The way I look at it, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Saying that - it's great you're aware of what you're consuming. I think this awareness alone will help you make slightly better choices at the weekend. Know that it's okay to eat what you like in moderation - perhaps allow yourself a couple of hundred more calories at the weekend and check what the scales say to that. Sometimes it's trial and error.

Remember, for this to be a complete lifestyle change and sustainable - it needs to be realistic. Realistically, can you stick to 1200 at weekends? I know I couldn't. I ate at 1200 and lost 25lbs. I have now upped my calories to 1500 and am losing a little slower but it's a small price to pay for being able to actually eat!

Best of luck!

I always pre-log my food during the weekend just to make sure not to go crazy. You can also do extra cardio and bank calories. I bank and save em during the special days. Just be mindful in eating and watch your portions!

Well if you're only eating 1200 every day of the week, there's no wonder it's harder to make good choices on the week ends... I'd never feel happy and satisfied with that and my willpower would probably go out of the window when I'm surrounded with more appetizing choices.

Eat a reasonable amount (with what you have to lose, aim for 1 pound a week max), eat back half your exercise calories, don't deprive yourself all week because it's just not going to work.

Francl27 wrote: »

Well if you're only eating 1200 every day of the week, there's no wonder it's harder to make good choices on the week ends... I'd never feel happy and satisfied with that and my willpower would probably go out of the window when I'm surrounded with more appetizing choices.

Eat a reasonable amount (with what you have to lose, aim for 1 pound a week max), eat back half your exercise calories, don't deprive yourself all week because it's just not going to work.

Perfect advice.

Four pound a a week loss is really really a lot. Too much too fast really. Like others have said. Eat a more reasonable amount during the week and you won't feel so much like going wild on the weekends. remember you are cresting habits that you will need to sustain for a lifetime, it's not a temporary thing. There is no deadline to make to get the weight off.

memccoart wrote: »

The past 3 weeks have been successful but I know if I continue to eat poorly on the weekends eventually it will catch up with me and the weight I lose during the week will be regained. I ask for help because in the past this is what has happened. Thank you all for such great advice! I will take these all in consideration:)

It might not catch up with you actually. I've been maintaining for over a year. I just keep a deficit during the week so it's not a big deal if I go a bit over on the week end... but the key here is 'a bit over'. You have to take responsibility too and not go crazy on the week end either. What I don't understand is why you restrict your 'favorite foods' to the week end. I have my favorite foods all week. The key is moderation and portion control.

Your problem is that you restrict yourself too much during the week, so when the food you crave is available during the week end, you go nuts... I try to make every meal as satisfying as possible, plan my meals around food I really feel like eating, that way I'm in control, enjoying my meals, and don't end up binging because I'm forcing down food I don't care for all the time or starving myself...

memccoart wrote: »

I have no problem packing a healthy lunch to take to work and for dinner during the week. I have been on a 1200 calorie diet for 3 weeks and have lost 12lbs. Its losing control on the weekends that I have always struggled with everytime I try to lose weight. Is there a secret to be able to enjoy some of those favorite foods on the weekend without feeling out of control? Any ideas to help me and others with the same problem be able to still lose a little weight over the weekend and enjoy a good meal with friends?

Eat some of them during the week. Weekends also need to be consistent.

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