The weekends are killing me!!

Soccer_Chick
Soccer_Chick Posts: 204 Member
edited September 28 in Health and Weight Loss
I need a strategy for the weekends! I manage my nutrition so well all week and then the weekend rolls around and I completely lose it! I didn't even bother to log my nutrition this weekend cuz it sucked so bad. I went out Friday night to a Scottish pub with friends so hmmm....3 beers, garlic fries, fish and chips...couldn't quite face logging that in. Ate the leftovers Saturday and then BBQ'd yesterday and ate chips and even a frickin' caramel filled drumstick at night! WTF?

I'm fairly new here and have not sought out any friends. I have one friend who friended me (thanks!) and I've noticed that seeing his food diary motivates me and gives me great ideas! If anyone is looking for friends I would welcome you. I'm in this to lose about 10-12 more pounds and mainly looking to build my body up with some lean strong muscle. I'm female, live in So Cal, play soccer and am a very happy fun-loving person.
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Replies

  • Leah2975
    Leah2975 Posts: 65 Member
    Im the same exact way, work at a bar on the weekends, and the second i smell the food, im done for, and ruining everything ive worked for all week.
  • giammarcor
    giammarcor Posts: 217 Member
    I think the first thing you need to do is to start logging all those things in! For me at least, it helped to log them in because it really brought to light all the calories I was piling on. Also, switch beers when you do go out. Get a lower calorie beer so you dont have to feel as guilty. Finally, after a night like that, get out and take a long walk or exercise some more. Burn off as much as you can so it's not so bad. Hope this helps a bit.

    Friend request on its way.
  • jrich1
    jrich1 Posts: 2,408 Member
    my wife and I on here are in the same boat.. we are still working through it!
  • abgoins512
    abgoins512 Posts: 41
    I'm the same way! I try really hard during the week to stay on track, then flake out on the weekend! You can do it, though! The web site has really helped me and seeing everyone else's progress makes me want to do better, too! Best of luck to you in your journey! You can do it!
  • theflyingartist
    theflyingartist Posts: 385 Member
    I've got the same issue. It's the only days I get with my other half, and I tend to let go because we're so easy going together.
    Emotionally, great. Nutritionally, not so great. I remember downing a whole Ben & Jerry's Phish Food one night during a Harry Potter marathon. You are not alone.
    Friend request as well.. support makes it all the more better and easier to continue your goals. :)
  • sheisbrown
    sheisbrown Posts: 171 Member
    Have you tried planning out what you will and will not eat a little more? Sometimes I even log it in before I eat it and it helps me stick to my plan.

    I find weekends are hard for me too as its when I'm more relaxed and can sometimes feel the need to treat myself and then it gets out of hand. Planning has been working for me though.

    I also look at the weekend as I time to be active! I try to get in some longer workouts and stay busy so that I make sure I burn extra calories.
  • mickie_on_my_way
    mickie_on_my_way Posts: 32 Member
    I think the first thing you need to do is to start logging all those things in! For me at least, it helped to log them in because it really brought to light all the calories I was piling on. Also, switch beers when you do go out. Get a lower calorie beer so you dont have to feel as guilty. Finally, after a night like that, get out and take a long walk or exercise some more. Burn off as much as you can so it's not so bad. Hope this helps a bit.

    Friend request on its way.

    I agree! Logging it all makes you more aware, and that can lead to better choices. Logging EVERYTHING has been key for me. It also keeps me accountable!
  • ak_in_ak
    ak_in_ak Posts: 657 Member
    Even though I am terrible at loggin during the weekend, it helps to realize how many calories are in they things you binge on. Now that I have realized just how bad they are, i have started to binge a lot less! I always have to ask my self is this one night of junk really worth it in the long run?
  • kellyyjean
    kellyyjean Posts: 499 Member
    I am in the same boat.
    Sending a friend request.
  • You did the damage when you ate it, so by not logging it, all you're doing is removing the accountability. And you need the accountability if you want to not repeat the same bad patterns, so you need to log. Also, try moving your weigh-in day (if you don't weigh every day) to Mondays. That way, you know you have a weigh-in coming and will hopefully be more mindful about what you eat. Also, if you drink, you're going to be more likely to overeat, because your defenses are down. Try to really weigh whether or not it is important for you to drink, or whether your weight loss goals are more important than drinking at the moment.
  • Xlyinia
    Xlyinia Posts: 19 Member
    I second the vote for logging it in no matter what. Especially before you place the order for what you want. Sometimes just seeing those calorie numbers is enough to get you to order something else even juts a little better, or maybe nurse the one beer and not have a second.

    I know shame/guilt goes a long way in keeping me on track! :P
  • Sarahmeridith
    Sarahmeridith Posts: 298 Member
    Logging everythign really helps, once you see thenumbers of those weekends days it really helps to motivate you into eating better and adding more exercise. I am crazy about my numbers, I add everything I eat right after I eat it and hate seeing that number get too close to my goel, it really helps me to not go over!
  • skinnyrache
    skinnyrache Posts: 33 Member
    I agree, weekends are killer! It is the only time my husband and I really have together, and he always wants to go out to eat. I try to eat healthy, but when he orders onion rings how can I resist?? It's so much easier to stick to a diet plan on the weekends when your friends and significant others are doing the same thing. This last weekend I at least tried to get a good run in to combat the bad food, and I worked hard to at least restrict my portion sizes. I may have eaten onion rings and pie, but I opted for a much smaller version than I normally would have. I've found I do better when I indulge a little rather than try to restrict myself all together. Maybe next time stick to slowly drinking one beer and then chugging water, and then taking a little bit of the "bad stuff" (fries, etc.) and ordering a side salad too? Tough, I know. Hopefully that will be enough to make a difference! Best of luck to you this next weekend!
  • coolsmartygirl
    coolsmartygirl Posts: 299 Member
    For me it's because I work so much during the day on the weekend and then when my friends ask for me to join them out I really want to because I want to have a good time. There's been two sundays that I didn't log a thing. I just count them as my cheat days and then try harder the next day. The next time I have one of those days though, I will challenge myself to put it in even if I won't like the results.
  • runnermel
    runnermel Posts: 278
    so glad that I am not alone!! it is such a struggle. and I am going to try to stick to the suggestion of logging everything. it is very hard sometimes! especially when what you want to add is something homemade and not in the database. I have such a hard time knowing what to put for the calories. but, enough is enough, and I am going to start today logging everything. my marathon trainging starts July 17th, and I need to get some weight off by then!!

    I will add you and maybe we can get thru this together!!!!
  • ande2994
    ande2994 Posts: 136
    I feel like I have a harder time logging things on weekends because they're less black and white. It's easy enough to log an english muffin, a turkey sandwich and whatever weeknight meal I make -- but weekend foods are often more elaborate, which makes it tough. It's also harder to determine how to count a whole day running errands vs. most of a day on my butt with clearly-defined workout time. Any ideas on how to log weekend foods and activities more easily would be welcomed!
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    log it in! I am a bit the same except on weekends I can play. Instead of doing a boring workout i will go to the park and play ball or something for hours and burn 600 calories or more. Gives me room to eat those tasty foods. Plus you know it is bad make better choices or at least split the dish with people.
  • GameOn2011
    GameOn2011 Posts: 73 Member
    I here ya! I have the same goals. 10-15 pounds, trying to tone...I logged my Friday at the bar, and Saturday at the BBQ...seeing it in black and white pushed me to workout more. Just ran a 5K on my lunch break!
  • DEE4560
    DEE4560 Posts: 139
    It's bull **** that we get weak on the weekends and just get off track. It's happened to me the past two weeks not that summer is rolling in. I have been able to off balance it with alot of yard work but that will be winding down soon too so I need to get a plan to over come this weekend over eating.
  • lejess
    lejess Posts: 63
    Also, try moving your weigh-in day (if you don't weigh every day) to Mondays. That way, you know you have a weigh-in coming and will hopefully be more mindful about what you eat.
    I too struggle with this. And yes, you do need to log your food. That helps. I wanted to comment on your weigh in date. My friend and I started a pact, we emailed each other our weights on Monday and on Friday. Friday is our "check in" day. We hold each other accountable in addition to logging everything on this site. Weighing in on Fridays make me sure I stayed on track all week. Also, I know where I am before I start for the weekend. So on Monday, if Im up in pounds, I know its from what I did on the weekend.
    Another thing to note, for the purposes of tracking what I actually lost, I count my Monday weigh ins only. I usually good during the week, so Im often down by 1.5-2 pounds on Friday. But come Monday, its really only 1 pound actually lost. I am on a plan to lose 1 pound a week so thats what I go for.
  • FabOma08
    FabOma08 Posts: 500
    I think you may have gotten the idea by now, but just in case....Log It!! No matter how bad it is. If you make a habit of logging EVERYTHING, you'll find yourself stopping to think about it before you eat it! "Do I really want to have to log eating all these chips?" Then make the decision accordingly. You might decide not to eat them, only eat half, or go ahead and commit to an extra workout! And remember, people are here to support you, not judge you!
  • ilsie99
    ilsie99 Posts: 259
    I used to have a major problem with the weekends until I did two things:

    1. Stopped drinking
    2. Started doing long runs on Sunday.

    I eat at maintenance levels on Saturday (around 2000 calories for me) and then I eat ~3000 to offset the long run on Sunday.
  • Oh, and I totally agree with sheisbrown! Planning your weekends out ahead of time and even logging the food ahead of time (and then sticking to what you planned/logged) would be a really fantastic strategy for you, especially if you're still going to drink. That way, you aren't dependent on your ability to make a wise choice on-the-spot. Have a few go-to options you like at the regular places you and your friends like to go out to. For a pub, for example, I'd do a "burger salad" - get a hamburger, but order it with just the veggies (no bun, no cheese, no sauces) and either eat it wrapped in lettuce with the other veggies (onion, tomato, pickle, etc.) or if it doesn't come with a large enough piece of lettuce to wrap with, get a side salad to go with it and cut the burger up into pieces to put on top. Don't get fries (not even garlic fries, as amazing as they are). If a friend gets them, eat one or two of theirs, but if you get a whole order, you'll eat them all (especially if they're garlic fries... I think I hate you a little bit for even mentioning garlic fries, because I'm now craving them...). For a steakhouse, order a leaner cut (NY strip, top sirloin) not a fatty cut (rib eye, prime rib), ask for it grilled without butter/oil, and get steamed (no butter/oil) veggies with it instead of the potato, fries, etc. Don't eat the bread/chips/etc. Ask for a salad to be served immediately if you need something before your entree is ready, because the bread/chips are evil. Empty, useless calories. I hope some of that helps!
  • FabOma08
    FabOma08 Posts: 500
    so glad that I am not alone!! it is such a struggle. and I am going to try to stick to the suggestion of logging everything. it is very hard sometimes! especially when what you want to add is something homemade and not in the database. I have such a hard time knowing what to put for the calories. but, enough is enough, and I am going to start today logging everything. my marathon trainging starts July 17th, and I need to get some weight off by then!!

    I will add you and maybe we can get thru this together!!!!

    I was frustrated to begin with because we make lots of casseroles, stews, skillet meals. Now, I just create the recipe here so I don't have to figure out each ingredient every time we have it!
  • berchen82
    berchen82 Posts: 59
    I also think weekend are "the bad days" for me. During the week it's ok, even if we go out for dinner. But on Saturday we have often friends with us for a BBQ. And I can't stop eating, while there is food on the table.
    I have to minimize the portion I eat and have to do more exercise :-)
  • jad54
    jad54 Posts: 192
    Log everything you eat/drink, even if it's not good for you and you feel bad about it. Seeing it could potentially serve as a good deterrent in the future. Also, before deciding to order something you'll regret, think about the hard work you put in all week. That's always helped me. Last but not least, give yourself one "cheat day" each week. For instance, I pretty much eat whatever I want on Sundays. There have been studies stating it's actually good to do that because it tricks your body and keeps the metabolism churning.

    Good luck!
  • waterjogger
    waterjogger Posts: 114
    I know this may sound crazy....but try logging EVERYTHING you eat, even on the really bad days. I used to skip the weekends for that very same reason, but now I try to log it all, the good, bad, and the ugly, and it serves as a "deterrent" to ever having to log that much again!!!:frown:
  • Soccer_Chick
    Soccer_Chick Posts: 204 Member
    Thanks!! I really appreciate all the suggestions and the friend requests. I feel the motivation coming through and I am committed to get through the next weekend with my plan intact!

    I will plan ahead and log everything I eat this weekend! I think that will help keep my brain on the right track. For me the weekend usually involves lots of sports and activities so I think mentally I go into the "it doesn't really matter" zone. I will get off that mode and stay on track this weekend.

    What I will do is plan and make sure to have on hand all the food that I will eat this weekend. I will log in my meals and snacks before I eat them and then I just won't eat anything that is not on the list! Easy!! See, I CAN DO IT! I'm good when I have a plan and all these new friends to help motivate me!!

    Thanks again everyone!!
  • Soccer_Chick
    Soccer_Chick Posts: 204 Member
    OK, just a quick update. I am so motivated that I have already started planning out my meals for Saturday and Sunday! Damn...it's only Monday! I can't wait for the weekend. I'll check back in next Monday to report my great success!
  • mlek
    mlek Posts: 110
    I struggle with the weekends as well! I do really well (for the most part) during the week, but then the weekend hits and I lose all control. My weekend habits are a work in progess but things that I am trying to implement are...

    1) fewer / lower calorie beverages :drinker:
    2) morning exercise!!! (i know i'm not going to do it later... unless it is part of my day... hiking etc) <-- being more active at BBQs, the beach etc helps as well... play a game or go for a walk... those calories add up!
    3) write down everything i eat then log on monday... this is a killer... but i need a reality check!
    4) I really try to plan a healthy breakfast (a good start to the day is important to me)...

    Trust me this is a battle for me... a tend to lose 2lbs per week and gain 2-3 over the weekend... :grumble: ... it is a journey!:drinker: keep it up!!!!!
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