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Weekends are Often Not the Dieter’s Best Friend

 A study has been published that revealed Saturdays as toughest for those trying to drop pounds. In an article published online in the journal Obesity, weekend indulgences were shown to jeopardize weight control efforts of 48 men and women whose behavior was documented over the study period of one year.  These participants kept food diaries and wore devices to measure activity.

It was found that on weekends, the participants gained significant weight because of greater caloric intake that did not proportionally balance out to increased activity. Although weight would decline during weekdays, the weekend effect was far stronger, leading the researchers to emphasize that “if you translate it out to a year, weight gain would be around 9 pounds.”

According to the study, this helps explain the slower-than-expected weight loss of many dieters. “There is less structure on the weekend for a lot of people, and that can wreak havoc,” they explained. “A little indulgence turns into big indulgence.” Being vigilant, they underscored, is key to a successful weight plan.
Below are steps that you can take to “conquer the weekend” and not be afraid that it will throw your weight efforts out of whack:

•    Eat within an hour of getting up, and then space the remainder of your meals every 3 to 4 hours.  You won’t be so famished and tempted to overeat.
•    Eat more fruits, whole grains and vegetables early in the day; they will make you feel fuller longer.
•    When you dine out, make a deal with someone to split the entree so you will control portion sizes.
•    Limit or skip bread with meals so you can enjoy dessert.