Lost in the Weekend Zone

Here is a summary of my Weight Watchers meeting on April 20, 2010.

Weekends + Holidays = 120 days out of the year!!

Don’t give up on everything you have worked so hard for on weekends and holidays. Use one or more of the tips shared in this week's meeting to insure that your weekend is not only terrific but on PLAN!
Remember 365 on Plan Days will Equal One Successful Year!!!

Here's those tips just in case you missed your meeting or got overwhelmed by all that was shared:
* Plan!! Plan!! Plan!! Write out your plan for at least a few days, if not an entire week, in advance. You should aim to tailor your plan to what's already in your kitchen, or adjust your grocery shopping to include only the items you need for the week. That way there are no surprises to help you sabotage your Weekend. If going out to eat check the NI in your Dining Out Companion, Pocket Guide or on the restaurant's website ahead of time. That way you can make the very best, most informed decision and take the guess-work out of eating out.

*Use weekends wisely. When things are a little quieter on weekends, you can think about the upcoming week, decide what you're going to eat. Go to the grocery store, so you're a little ahead of the game. You can even prepare food on the weekend and freeze it, you have meals ready for the week.

*Journal-Don't forget that run through the grocery store - all those tasty samples you couldn't pass up. Tracking every BLT is the single best thing you can do, you become more conscious of what you're doing. It helps you monitor yourself, and make corrections in mid-course. Journal ONLY on the days you want to lose weight!

*Plan family activities like bike rides or outdoor games. The benefits you get from this is time with family and burn calories all at once! Plan your yard-work for the weekends to earn some extra Activity Points, which can be swapped for additional food points if needed.

*Set goals for yourself based on the realities of what you will be doing. They may look very different than your weekday goals, and that’s okay. Is the weekend a good time for you to work in those 35 weekly points? If so use them guilt-free, they are part of the PLAN!

*Don’t be afraid to snack-If you are going to be out all day at the mall or just running around, pack some healthy snacks in case you get hungry. There is nothing worse than being hungry at the mall, and the only food options are ice cream, cookies or pizza. Weight Watchers portion controlled baked snacks and 1/2 point bars are easy to take along, as is a fruit, 100 cal packs, etc.

*Don't save all of your splurging. Allow yourself a few treats (notice I said TREATS not snacks) throughout the week to help you avoid the Mindset that the weekend is an excuse to go bonkers.

*Cut yourself some slack Give yourself at least one higher-point meal (or even day) a week to keep things interesting, keep your metabolism guessing, and keep you from going crazy. Points budgets are no different than any other type of budget - as long as you're expending more calories than you're taking in, you'll be losing weight. Allow yourself an indulgence every week, and remember tomorrow is always a new day.