Does anyone else feel like they are "off" program on the weekends??
Does anyone else have a terrible time staying OP on the weekends? I have been a doing WW on and off for 2 years now. I just rejoined a week ago and lost 2.8 my 1st week except, I think I ate enough on Saturday and Sunday to gain back the 2.8!!
I weigh in on Saturdays and seem to think that I can eat whatever I want until Monday. I am trying to make a life style change but I can't seem to keep the life style changes through the weekends...
Does anyone else have similar problems? Any advice??
Weekends were a struggle when I was losing weight and they still continue to be problematic for me even at Lifetime. What I found helpful is to eat at the mid to lower end of my points which enabled me to bank extra points for the weekend. Part of my problem, I found, was that I wasn't on a set schedule and my eating was the same way. If I can eat at regular times I do pretty well. Another trick that helps is to keep my journal out where I can see it so I can mark down everything I'm eating.
Weekends take planning ahead. The suggestion to bank points is very good. It helps to me to plan some sort of treat. That's usually when I take time to make french toast for breakfast or try a new recipe. One thing that can help is to set the timer for 10 minutes when you are tempted to eat something you shouldn't. Go off an do something else. Usually by the time the timer goes off, the desire is no longer there. Try to remember that the first bite and the last bite taste the same. If you must have something, just have 2 bites and then stop. If you know you won't be able to stop, don't have it...get something else. I keep the fridge full of cut of veggies and fruit on the counter and reach for those first. Frozen grapes, organge slices, peaches, strawberries all tase great - like a sorbet almost.
I definately have to make an extra effort to plan meals & healthy things to have on hand. It's always a good time to fix a pot of beans or a big fruit salad.
It's hard sometimes to bake something on the program, because it still can be so dangerous for me. I try to make things that will at least satisfy me eonough so I won't pig out!
It would probably work for maintenance - to just take one day a week off, but not while trying to loose.
I am right there with you! Although I don't go to meetings, I am doing this on my own. My sister copied her material and gave it to me. Would love to go for more motivation, but don't have the time (5 kids - ages 18, 15, 14, 8 & 2) or the $$.
I've made a deal with myself that Saturday nights dinner, I can eat basically what I want, as long as it's within reason. But I try to stick to the plan for the rest of the weekend.
It is my understanding that when the new WW program is announced in September of this year (coinciding with WW 40th anniversary), they will have a concept called flexible points that takes into account folks "vacationing" on the weekend.
I am a real WW "oldie" (been on and off it so many times...this is my last time because of a total attitude change)....and I remember in the early 90's before points were introduced, they had a concept like this, where you can take the "weekend off". BAck then it was just allowing you to eat what you wanted in moderate portions, but of course that didn't work for a lot of folks. I think now they're doing it by allowing you to use these new flexible points that they are introducing.
A kind leader posted information about this under the topic "Revised WW program for 2003" and she explains it in great detail. I think it's a super improvement, and will really help those who want a "food vacation" on the weekends!
I'm really ready for the new program! We'll still count points, but the way we do it will be tweaked. I'm ready!
I was glad to find this forum, weekends are hard for me, too. Now I put my journal right on the refrigerator and I found a WW meeting on Monday, so I am accountable right after the weekend. I like to do my grocery shopping after work on Friday, so I have all the healthy options in the house and it's already planned out for my weekend meals. I try to allow myself 4 pts. for 2 lite beers, that's my splurge on the weekends.
I am struggling with weekends this time around as well. I have been lucky so far, and have continued to lose. I am pretty sure today will be the end of that luck- I only had 3 OP days! I keep hoping for a gain, to motivate me to stay OP, but it hasn't happened YET.
I think it will be fine to do the program this way when I am back at goal- I can't wait to see the new version of the program!
I'm trying to be neutral and not bring the hardcore BCB attitude here because I know it's not for everyone. BUT......there are definitely ways of enjoying the weekend without going off program. WW is based on a specific calorie intake per week, and by taking a day off, meal off, or G** forbid the weekend off, you are just sabotaging yourself.
Figure out what it is about the foods you eat on the weekend that you enjoy the most. Is it pizza? Ice cream? Or just the freedom of being able to not have to count the points....
This is supposed to be a lifestyle change and the diet mentality will not work. I have been on WW for over a year and I understand that it can be difficult at times. I'm not trying to say I'm perfect here. But I have learned that by knowing what I want and planning ahead, I sure haven't felt deprived at all. Too many times at WW meetings I listen to people talk about what they've eaten off-program, how "bad" they were. I've been going long enough to KNOW that these are the ones that only last a little while, quit, and then say that WW doesn't work for them.
You want pizza? I make my own with a great bran bread recipe, low point toppings, and my own 0 point sauce. A hamburger....a REAL hamburger? I get my 1 point buns and by the 93% lean burger for 1 point per ounce. Fries? For an easy fix, by the frozen fries and bake them! There ARE ways!
This whole thing can be done with planning, planning, planning! I PLANNED to go out last night and had 2 beers (lite) and a lean burger......
QuilterinVA had very good advice as well.
Enjoy your weekends with a little planning, good luck to you Anne. I wish you great success!!
It is a support forum at www.***************.net The forum is officially called Bootcamp Buddies. It is a place for hardcore WWers, who take their new lifestyle very seriously. Some people need a "tough love" approach to this, and that is it. It literally has been the main reason I haven't given up on myself. The support is fantastic, the ideas are phenomenal.
Like I said, it's not for everybuddy, some even get insulted that we aren't more compassionate towards someone who goes off program. We give them gentle kicks, loving kicks if they messed up. BCB will not enable someone who has gone off-program.
I am not criticizing 3FC or any other support forum, btw. I think that different people need different types of support. I just happen to be a tough love person.
I still like to read advice, tips, and give my own advice though..... so I've recently joined 3FC support forum. I don't have to bring my BCB philosophy here.....although it's hard sometimes! We can all get along, right?
If you decide to join, I'm also RaiderMom at BCB, with a lot more posts under my belt!
I have a problem on the weekends. But my food intake isn't the problem, the problem is I don't eat enough or drink enough water. I work third shift, so I miss breakfast, and when I get up, I'm not hungry so I'll have a protein shake and even then, I'm not interested, but I force myself to have "something".
Last edited by Hollie in MT; 04-20-2003 at 06:41 AM.
I seem OK during the week, but too much socializing on the weekends does me in. There is always something going on & I have to learn how to plan ahead for it. I know there will always be temptations & life things going on. So, I think good planning & banking some points for the weekend is what I have to concentrate on.
Does anyone else feel like they are "off" program on the weekends??
I also have problems stay op on weekends along with th rest of the family. I would also like some advice on how to handle this situation.
