Can't seem to hold the fort on weekends

Woof. This is the exact same thing I struggle with. Do you usually wake up around the same time/go to bed at the same time/eat at the same time on the weekend as you do during the week? Generally, I don't, which is what throws me off. I tend to wake up much later and burn more calories on the weekend from general activity. So I've found that if I eat two big meals later in the day (brunch and dinner) I can be crazier with my meals. Do you think that might work for you too?

You keep a food diary? What do you do with that on weekends?

Are you too restrictive during the week?

Is there anywhere you’re safe on weekends? My problem was being around the house. Solutions- get out or find a really dirty job to do.

On weekends, I tend to pick the meals I care about most and work around those. For example, my breakfasts at home don't very much in total calories and lunch is kind of hit or miss depending on how hungry I am or what I might be doing later.

I do eat out several times a week though and what I've found is that I had to redefine what a "special" occasion was. Going out usually ends up a bit of a splurge, but I focus on what sounds good and what's reasonable. I'd love to have a plate of fried calamari every week, but a good bit of the time I opt for a starter salad. If a particular burger sounds good, I go with it, but see if I can get a bison patty or chicken breast or eat it open-faced. I find this is generally an easy compromise and doesn't make a big deal of me needing to eat somewhere with "diet food". I have a group of friends I eat with every week and I doubt anyone even knows I'm trying to lose weight.

I think my dad cooks like your mom! When it comes to lots of tasty food...and in the case of my dad, lots of our family's traditional-extra-good-love-and-miss-them-so-much dishes, I've found that a few bites are more than enough to satisfy my tastebuds and much more past that OMG-I-forgot-how-much-I-love-this first few bites doesn't really taste any better. I've gradually reduced the portions that I take to about half of what I used to get. I didn't do it all at once, kind of worked my way down so I wouldn't get those "you've gotta eat" lectures. I still feel satisfied and happy and I get to enjoy the things I really want to eat. It also leaves room for those REALLY good treats. I'll gladly halve my serving of chile cheese squash casserole to be able to have an extra chile relleno!

I think best advice is worry more about your weekly caloric intake more so than your daily.

Example
3500 cal (500/day for 7 days) deficit will lose 1 lb of fat.

If you eat 1200/day Monday to Thursday that's 4800 cals. Then Friday you eat 3000 cals, Saturday 2000 cals, and 3000 again on Sunday, that's 8000 cals plus your 4800 cals earlier in the week for a total weekly intake of 12800 calories. If the 1200 cals a day was your 500 a day deficit to lose that 1 lb you would have consumed 8400 calories for the week. The binging weekends put you 4800 cals over the deficit for the week. All numbers made up for illustration purposes

I hope this didn't come off rude or anything it was the only way I think of explaining it as it was how I looked at it when I started my journey from 320lbs to 199lbs today. I think if you were to log what you ate on the weekend you would see where the big calories are at. This does not mean no date night and no nice meals just now and and make small adjustments and you will see it work for you.

I struggle with weekends too! All my socializing seems to involve food. In your shoes, I would pick one of the two meals as my "cheat" meal and try to eat with some control for the other one. I'm guessing it would be easier to get your husband to support you in wanting to be reasonable than your whole family at family dinner - but choose the one you think will be easiest.

When I'm going to a restaurant, I read whatever menus I can first, and decide ahead of time what I will eat. I find it's easier to not be tempted by the higher calorie options that way.

Before heading out, I eat a high protein snack (egg whites and salsa). I find this helps me make better decisions once there.

At the restaurant, I drink a lot of water and try to limit the bread. I stick to one drink or no drinks. (Offering to be designated driver helps me stay motivated on that front).

I find dinners with friends or family more complicated. The food tends to be healthier but portions are harder to control. When we help ourselves to the food, I start with the veggies and fill up my plate with that, to then move on to proteins and carbs. If the host is making the plates, I will try to ask for smaller portions.

I’m with you. I have started planning what I will eat each day just like during the week. Actually with more focus than during the week. And last week I said no to alcohol. It seems even 1 low carb drink slows my weight loss. I’m doing low carb this week (Wednesday-Wednesday) I am down 3lbs so far!! Usually I am trying to lose the weekend weight on Tuesday

I'm right there with you. This weekend I was within calorie goal on Saturday, but went over on Sunday. I think what's hard for me too is that I usually work from home on Mondays, so if I've slipped then that tends to carry into a 3rd day on Monday. Let's just say over this past weekend there was fast food involved.

BUT instead of throwing in the towel I just logged everything to keep myself accountable and I weighed in again this morning. I had a regain of about 1.5 pounds but I was mentally prepared to see that based on my food diary so instead of being devastated and demotivated, it was an expected blip and one that I can recover from. That's part of this process. I also did a good workout on Saturday, and can still feel the burn in my hammies! A reminder to myself that perfection is not the goal, but even a negative day/weekend can still have positives in there too.

I saw some tips about pre-logging so I'll give that a try if I know I want to indulge.

Let's not talk about Super Bowl Sunday coming this weekend.