Need Advice on Facing the Weekends!!! Help!

I'm one of those that sees Saturday as a day that I should reward myself for dieting and exercising all week.  It usually ends up that I go out and have lots of drinks (of course they are low calorie ones without sugary mixers, lol).  This is extremely defeating because I undo some of the good things that I do all week with this behaviour but it's difficult to shake the mindset that I deserve a day off.  I always feel so terrible on Sunday; bloated, tired, guilty.

Can someone advise on changing one's mindset about this kind of thing?  Thanks!!!!  I could really get my weight loss on track.  Btw, I'm about 5'9" and 184.  I want to get to 150.

Thanks!

I have always taken the weekends off from strict eating and working out.  I try not to pig out too bad but I go and enjoy the food and drinks I want.  Sure, I undo some of the work throughout the week but the reprieve for my sanity is worth it.  My weightloss was extremely slow but a lot easier to maintain.

I know what you mean about the sanity.  I've always been good about changing my mind about how I think of things though.  I think some good meditation and reaffirmation of my goals on Friday might be the way.  I also just realized if I confirm a hiking date for Saturday morning it will set the stage for the day and the weekend's behaviour.  :)  I'm glad to hear someone relates.

Hey there!

So the main thing to work on is how you see your dieting as work. It doesn't have to be! Losing weight is more than getting to a number on a scale- it's also showing your body that you want to take care of it; that you are willing to change habits for yourself.

This isn't to undermine the fact that losing weight takes time and effort- it IS work in that sense. Hahaha!

But it can be instantly rewarding, too. I love finding two-for-ones. Like getting to stuff myself on something that is low in calories AND tastes delicious (I'm a big salad person, hehe~!). Find ways to pat yourself on the back throughout the day. Maybe work a small treat into your day the day before. Log it in as the first thing- even if you are going to eat it for supper. Then, when it comes time to eat it you can say "I don't even have to worry about the calories in this because I already took care of it!". Or, in the case of exercise, find a place that you really love to go- like a well-kept public garden or something and just walk around and maybe take some pictures. Tell yourself that you are going to walk around for an hour in this place and during that time all you have to focus on is feeling happy- not thinking about calories (intake or burn) or other plans for the week- just be in the moment.

Weight loss that lasts is all about different methods that you incorporate into your daily life. No one wants to incorporate a really rigorous unhappy schedule into their already busy lives- so take the time to think about what will make you happy AND help you achieve your goals.

I guarantee that by the time the weekend comes you won't feel stressed enough to undo some of the good things you did for yourself.

Keep up the great work!

Best wishes,

-Kat

Yes, this is wise.  I should really be understanding that my reward IS taking care of myself, not being a glutton!  My reward on Saturday is a hike in the woods with friends and going out for lunch, not snacking on wings and beers late at night with a couple people.  My reward is being healthy and happy and getting up on Sunday feeling good, not a temporary high followed by feeling crummy!!  Thanks! xxx

Another possibility is that you are being too restrictive during the week, so you feel you need a "break".  I find I do better if my daily targets allow me a little treat most days, then I don't need a big treat on weekends.

Think of what you want to do on Sunday that being bloated and feeling icky will keep you from or make not so much fun.  That was enough incentive for me to limit myself.

Yea it's hard to think about Sunday morning when the fun is going on on Saturday, "oh what the heck will another glass hurt", etc

Original Post by miztery:

Yes, this is wise.  I should really be understanding that my reward IS taking care of myself, not being a glutton!  My reward on Saturday is a hike in the woods with friends and going out for lunch, not snacking on wings and beers late at night with a couple people.  My reward is being healthy and happy and getting up on Sunday feeling good, not a temporary high followed by feeling crummy!!  Thanks! xxx

No problem =) <3333

Plan something a lot more fun for Sunday?

I have way too much fun with my life to miss out on parts of it from being hungover...I've done it a few times, so not worth it for me!