How do you manage weekends?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
How do you manage weekends?
10
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 2:35pm

I feel like I have just gone above and beyond bad this weekend and now can't seem to get back on track. I am with my family and it is so hard not to just eat out constantly and eat whatever. I mean, I tried to make good choices but I don't know if I stayed within my boundries I set for myself. I most likely went way over my fat intake and that is all I am really watching. Did I put everything in my journal, no of course not, I wasn't really around the computer much and when I was I couldn't really remeber what i ate. I am frustrated with myself.

So any tips on maintaining your program when the weekend hits?

Angela

 

Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-25-2004
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 2:58pm

Well, I would say maybe you should set separate goals for yourself for weekends when you know you can't control your environment. I count calories, and I would always allow myself to go out to eat once a week without worrying too much about calories. It helped me stick with my plan in the end and kept me from feeling frustrated or disappointed with myself for "messing up". Now, counting fat grams could be a good way to lose weight, but have you considered switching to counting calories? That way, if you have to eat out and eat a couple higher fat/higher calorie meals you can make up for it by eating low calorie veggies/salads the rest of the time and still not go over on calories, even if it's higher in fat than you would normally do. For example, a Big Mac might take you way over on fat, 39 grams I think, but calorie wise is *only* 600 calories, so it wouldn't completely ruin your day calorie wise. By switching to this type of thinking, it could help keep you from becoming defeatist and thinking "well, I already screwed up my fat intake so what's the point". Another thing to do is print the nutrition guides from popular fast food and restaurants you visit and know what is healthier and what is not. Sometimes just seeing the truth in black and white is enough to make foods easier to resist.

Staci


 


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 4:12pm
I kinda do count calories in a way, I try to keep my fat intake to 30% of calories. I lost some weight that way before but not more than 20 lbs. I seem to do better by watching fat intake.

 

Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 4:43pm

Transfer your journal to a notebook you can keep with you at all times. It's not as neat as a typed journal entry, but it's portable.

In terms of fast food...salads sans dressing are usually a good bet.

Avatar for saej72
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-21-2003
Thu, 02-02-2006 - 9:00am

all i can say is WEEKENDS SUCK...
when i am at work i eat real healthy, but on my days off, watch out..

i try to drink as much water as possible to keep myself full. but if i "stray" from my eating plan, i don't beat myself up.... it happens... i just make sure i am extra good the other days..

good luck

Sara
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Sara  

342-300-200

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 02-05-2006 - 4:34am

When you eat out, choose something tasty and healthy. Avoid fried food. For example, I went out a few weeks ago and ordered a LARGE house salad (just greens and veggies) with dressing on the side and a motzerella/roasted red peppper/basil sandwich.

I immediate put half of the sandwich in a doggie bag. I did not eat the potato chips that came with the meal. I ate tons of salad.

If you drink, Keep alcohol to ONE drink. NO dessert.

Weekends are not an excuse to load up on food. Focus on the SOCIAL aspect of the weekend, not the food. And get in EXTRA exercise.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2006
Mon, 02-06-2006 - 8:03am

>>>Focus on the SOCIAL aspect of the weekend, not the food<<< that is easily said than done if the social events are centered around food :(


My weekends are usually a big struggle.. maybe because I have more free time during the day and I tend to graze a lot... I minimize the nibbling by having something to drink in my hand most of the time (diet soda, herbal teas, etc).. I hate to go for a salad when everybody else is grabbing sandwiches.. I feel so deprived and that makes no sense to me... So I go for the grilled versions and skip the fries.. I do go over the normal calories/fat for the day, but I don't overdo it and it works for me.. no deprivation there


Mary


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2006
Mon, 02-06-2006 - 11:10am
Don't have to worry about the alcohol....LOL my dh & I rarely drink like only special occasions we might have a drink, usually only New years. I have noticed that this weekend was a little better, we went out and I didn't want as much of my fave foods as I normally would. So thanks for the tips to all.

 

Angela

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 1:54am

Trust me, I know about events centered around food. I come from an Italian family where all we do at family events is eat, drink, talk, eat, drink and eat more.

I agree to eat the sandwich. I hate eating somthing I don't want, just for the sake of eating. Eating the sandwich that you want and avoiding the fries is better than eating the salad and feeling deprived.

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Registered: 02-06-2006
Wed, 02-08-2006 - 4:44am

It's a typical Mediterranean culture.. I'm Egyptian and family gatherings are exactly the same. How can you survive this? If I'm constantly rejecting the food offered, then whoever is hosting feels very offended. It's like I'm rejecting them in person or something, which is completely crazy. Fortunately these big events are only on special occasions... I don't have to face this if it's only immediate family or my in-laws.. they both know I'm trying to lose weight and it makes things a bit easier (just a bit, they still offer food, but are not offended when I say no)

Mary
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 02-09-2006 - 8:33pm

I can sympathized with you. On Christmas Eve, we have the feast of the seven fishes. Then on Christmas Day we eat all over again. My aunt is always PUTTING food on everyones plate. And she gets upset if you say no.

And every year, my other aunt invites us to a Halfa at the local Moroccan restaurant where we end up eating 7 courses over a 4 hour period. GOOD stuff.

I would suggest (as I am doing before my sister's birthday party) extra exercise the day before and the day of the event and also limiting the amount of food you eat BEFORE the event. While you are there, try to fill up on water or non-caloric drinks.