18/11/2023
The weekend tends to be a stumbling block for the VAST majority of people when they first start with me. They manage well enough during the week, setting themselves up for weight loss success, only to have their weekend habits undermine all the effort they've put in.
If this sounds familiar, consider these two options:
Can you exert more control over your calorie intake on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays? Set a target or a range for the weekend that prevents you from negating the overall calorie deficit you've established throughout the week.
OR
Put in extra effort during the week, implementing further restrictions to accommodate any weekend indulgences while maintaining a net calorie deficit overall.
It makes WAY more sense to gain control over the weekend rather than subjecting yourself to additional hardship during the weekdays. Excessive restriction increases the likelihood of going off the rails come Friday and, worse still, giving up altogether, as it becomes unsustainable over time.
So, make weight loss easier! Put in the work during the week to allow yourself a bit of leeway over the weekend, but avoid going crazy!
Asking yourself "Is this going to move me towards my goal or slow my progress?" is a good habit to get into.
If it's not moving you towards your goal, is there anything you can do to change this?
So if it's takeaway tonight, can you:
- go for a smaller portion of your usual?
- select a lower calorie option from the menu?
- increase the veg and reduce the starchy carb content?
- skip the starter and have the desert?
- have the starter and skip the desert?
- have a few less alcoholic drinks?
Pick the easiest thing for you.
Then do something similar tomorrow but for your main meals, and the day after and so on. Look for the low hanging fruit here - the easiest things to change. Be consistent, be patient and the weight loss will come.