Am I doing this properly??

Hi,

I'd really appreciate some advice about whether I am really being as good as I think I am with my new diet and exercise plan.

Because of the nature of my job, it suits me better to work out on 3/4  consecutive days a week rather than spreading it out over 7 days. This means that I go to the gym M/T/W/ and maybe T then don't really work out properly for the rest of the week. When I am at the gym, I do 35 mins vigorous cardio, 15 mins of free weights for my arms, back and shoulders, 25-30 mins on the rowing machine and 15 minutes of stomach exercises (plank etc) and stretching. I also walk(very briskly) an average of 4 miles a day 5 days a week.

I am worried that by slacking the rest of the days I am negating my mid week efforts! I stick to a very healthy diet for 6 and a half days a week, between 1200-1400 cals a day, lots of fruit, veg and fibre. I have to confess that between Saturday evening and Monday morning the only activity I get is eating, topping up my wine glass and dancing in nightclubs!

I am 5"6 and 136lbs so am really more intersted in getting healthy in a way I can maintain for the rest of my life than getting thin( hence the weekend hedonism) but I would also like to lose about 6lbs as I feel more confortable at that weight.

Am I undoing my good work by busting out at the weekend??

Dancing is an excellent way to burn off calories while having a good time!  Your activity doesn't have to be one that involves a gym.  Cutting the grass, digging up weeds, walking the dog, taking the stairs instead of the elevator even cleaning the house all add up too so you're good IMO.  As far as the actual workout you do at the gym I'll let the others respond to that. 

The key is to make sure your deficit is between 700-1000 calories max.  Try setting your activity level to sedentary and then add in all the activities that you do while tracking your calories.  You'll see how much you really are burning in a day and may find you even need to increase your caloric intake.