We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Weekend Slump

jhnye85
jhnye85 Posts: 35 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
During the week, I am a model dieter/exercise addict, always under my calorie goals and exercising 5 days a week. But on the weekends, it's a different story. Saturday-Sunday I find myself eating more and exercising less. I am extremely motivated during the week, but with the sleeping in, couch sitting, movie watching and general weekend laziness, I feel like I am wasting all of the past week's hard work. Is this negatively going to impact my weight loss? Not to mention I feel extremely guilty and angry with myself for not having better self control over my eating.

I'm wondering if anyone else lets loose on the weekends - to a certain point. I've read that fluctuating your calories may increase weight loss. If I keep this up will the pounds add back on or will I maintain? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Replies

  • MJ7910
    MJ7910 Posts: 1,280 Member
    i am not sure... it could impact the week, but depends on how much you're eating over what you need. if it's just a few hundred calories it wouldn't effect things too much but it might if it's like 1000 calories with no exercise.
  • Kmdforsythe
    Kmdforsythe Posts: 30 Member
    Weekends are SOOO hard for me! I so want to lose weight, but I hate being regimented on the weekends and always end up overeating. I need to stop doing it.
  • Im not perfect on the weekends either. I am not sure why because Im a stay at home mom so the scenery is the same. I dont do this every weekend, but at least once a month, if not twice a month. And I always take 1 day off on the weekend every week. Anyway, I usually dont gain from my weekends off. I also usually lose during the week, so I weigh on Thursdays or Fridays after several days of good work/eating. I feel awful every Monday though- like a cheater- and I hate that feeling so I need to kick my butt into gear everyday of the week!
  • Anweena
    Anweena Posts: 45 Member
    I do exactly as you do, my weekends are mine to do what I like (I don't go too crazy, however). An so far, I have lost about 2 lbs a week. So, at least at this point, it is possible for me to loose and still have 2 days to eat what I like. Mental health is important- so don't beat yourself up over it- have some fun and enjoy yourself. What's life without enjoyment?
  • Hi! It IS hard...yes -but can you work a brisk walk into saturday/sunday? I do that on the weekends now b/c I feel that I am NOT in the gym-But I am doing something...And I log on the weekend-even though I eat the " different foods"-lol...it helps me feel that I'm staying accountable -no guilt ! (I must add I do have a bigger calorie range b/c of my weight NOW-so this could also be easier said than done...)
    Don't feel guilty! Five days are better than 2! lol....
  • Hey, I class myself in the same way - very good usually during the week - except for today - I'm already -37 kcals and it's only lunch time :( I think having the weekend off, as long as it isn't excessive is fine. I tend to eat what I want at the weekend without going too crazy if possible but I do also exercise over the weekend as I have more time. I'm not really sure how the zig zagging cals works so I can't comment but I'm sure it all evens out eventually :)
  • ShelleyD81
    ShelleyD81 Posts: 237 Member
    I started to get serious about changing my eating habits this month, this also happened to be the worst month for socialising and I have overeaten every weekend so far, but I've still lost 14lbs!
    At least you're eating well during the week and exercising, don't beat yourself up too much :)
  • VickiG36
    VickiG36 Posts: 350 Member
    I was searching for a post related to this. I do not watch what I eat on the weekends either or do much exercising. With two kids who are junk food lovers and a husband that doesn't watch what he eats,I fall into the same traps. I ususally do pretty good during the week but being lazy over the weekend usually carries into my Monday. I'm sorry I don't have an answer to your questions, but I wanted you to know you're not alone. I think what will really help me is to check in here during the weekends too. I normally don't but will have to start doing it cause it will help keep me in check.
  • sammys1girly
    sammys1girly Posts: 1,045 Member
    I totally let loose on most weekends and still have managed to lose weight. I just try to make sure to have two or three days a week where I have at least a couple hundred calories left. I think it all evens out.
  • hummingbird71
    hummingbird71 Posts: 298 Member
    I am the same way- I don't log my food as I should on weekends either- I do however get my general 30 min walk in due the fact that my dog would not like me very much if I "let her down" so her begging and jumping and general "when you gonna take me on my walk" dance that she does keeps me motivated to get in a walk. I KNOW how many calories of each item I eat and keep a running talley in my mind but I am sure I go over some or under some since I usually round up or down depending. We sit around usually on Sundays- movie watching, football watching and the general just relax and do nothing day. I want so badly to eat and snack all day- but this weekend I KEPT a bottle of water in front of me at all times. I drank so much yesterday I thought I would float away but it DID help with my constantly wanting to munch. I bought grapes for this reason as well. So when I wanted something to munch on I grabbed some grapes or carrots and that seemed to help to an extent. Now that didn't keep me from grabbing the Veggie straws though either but I kept it to the 38 straws for 130 calories like I was suppose to as well. It seemed to work for me this weekend so I will try it again next weekend. But sometimes it just doesn't and I go over board. When this happens I hit it even harder the following week, making sure I drink extra water and even going on a wee bit longer walk with my dog. I still loose weight and this way I keep my sanity as well.

    Good Luck!
  • I know it's probably not good but I take the weekends off from working out.
    I workout Monday, wednesday and friday. But I also work Saturdays so i only get 1 day off. I try and enjoy every minute of my weekend I can lol.
    I try and do well foodwise. but usually allow 1 good cheat meal during the weekend.
  • lawtechie
    lawtechie Posts: 708 Member
    What kind of work outs do you do during the week? After 5 days, I'd say your body needs a break from working out in order to heal/repair itself! You don't want to over train. It's OK to be lazy and sit around after working out all week.

    As for eating, stay within 100-200 of your normal calorie goals and I'd say you're ok.
  • jhnye85
    jhnye85 Posts: 35 Member
    Thanks so much for all the feedback! great to know I'm not alone in this. Just an update - I have been strict this week with my exercise and food - and the scale so far has gone down, just 1lb but hey! So maybe a little relaxtion on the weekend won't pack on the pounds. I normally only record my weight on Fridays so I'm pretty excited to see where the scale is at tomorrow am!
This discussion has been closed.