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Are you a “workout wonder woman” during the week, then watch Saturday, (and then Sunday) go by without even a sideways glance in the direction of the gym? Do you eat like a world-class athlete during the week, devouring heaps of veggies, fruit, lean protein, Omega-3s, the works…then lose all self-control the minute the sun rises on Saturday? It may be that you’re being too good during the week. Just as people tend to gain weight during holidays, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that the same holds true for weekends, especially for those who follow weight loss regimens that are too strict. Subjects in the study’s diet group did great during the week, losing weight as expected, then stopped losing weight on the weekend as food intake increased. Participants in the exercise-only group actually gained weight on the weekend. Check out the full story at Science Daily.
Here are some strategies for maintaining your momentum through the weekend:
1) Plan, plan and plan some more. Weekdays are typically very structured, requiring great planning skills if you want to fit in every workout and eat healthy too. Because weekends are more relaxed, there is a natural tendency to let your guard down and say, “ah, what the heck, one more bite of Ben and Jerry’s won’t hurt.” Planning ahead for scenarios that tempt your willpower will help you stay on track. You can’t avoid every birthday party, company picnic or neighborhood potluck, but you can still make healthy choices.
2) Don’t skip workouts. Try to get at least one, 60-minute bout of exercise in over the course of the weekend, or two 30-minute sessions.
3) Drink alcohol in moderation. Alcohol and weight loss don’t combine well anyway, but add to that the fact that alcohol lowers your willpower.
4) Weigh yourself on the weekend. This will help keep weight in check, and act as a visual reminder that all calories count, so make them nutrient-dense calories, rather than empty calories like sugary, starchy, fattening snacks that counter all of the hard work you did during the week.
It won’t be easy, but come Monday, you’ll be ahead of the game, rather than hitting the “reset” button!
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