Helen’s Diet Blog

Though many of us prefer to follow a healthy regime throughout the week and indulge in rigorous exercise and diet control, but weekend overeating could make them gain an approx. 9 pounds a year? This is the finding shared by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis recently.

Here are few tips from health experts that may help you put off extra weight at weekends:

1) Weigh yourself regularly
That’s the trick! You should weigh yourself everyday, if not that at least on every Friday. Then, weigh yourself again on Mondays. If you find an alarming change in your weight on Mondays, it is an indicator of increase activity and curb temptations.

2) Maintain a on healthy eating plan
Many people say that they tend to eat more on weekends because they get more time to do so. But, why should one indulge in eating processed foods only? You can find some time to prepare a delicacy and also think of options that comprise whole foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. How about enjoying home-made soups, or cut up lots of fresh vegetables or prepare mouth-watering snacks and salads that were missing from your diet chart throughout the week? Go for fiber-rich whole foods and you tend to feel satisfied for long.

3) Plan well ahead a party
So you enjoy partying or going out to dinner on weekends. Don’t worry! You can consume less food that day and increase your physical activity. But, it is certainly a good idea to avoid munching high-calorie diets at fast-food restaurants and look for options with less fat and calories.

4) Indulge more in physical activity.
How about riding an exercise bike or going for a hike, play tennis, or simply enjoy a walk early mornings or evenings rather than sitting on couch and munching unhealthy snacks? You can even plan a shopping at nearby mall walking.

5) Plan a healthy breakfast
As you have more time during weekends, you must avoid breakfasts containing huge amount of fat and calories. Just have an egg or two along with whole-grain toast and some fresh fruits. You can even go for a high-fiber cereal and fruits.

6) Keep weight loss goal in mind
Always keep your goal in mind and set the tone of the day by working out even during weekends. While socializing, pay more attention to people and surrounding than on food.

7) Reduce on eating out
Though it is difficult to control eating out, it should be reduced for your health’s benefits. A study indicates that people eating out more than 12 times per month ended up eating 32% more calories as compared to those, who ate only four times every month. So, maintain a healthy diet and work out more during weekends to avoid unwanted weight gain.