7 Ways Of Losing Weight On The Weekend Without The FOMO
charushila biswasMSc (Biotechnology), ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist Experience: 6 yearsCharushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and... more
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You have been on a diet for the entire week, and now you are super excited about the weekend. If you are a foodie, I am sure you must have started planning what to cook or which restaurant to try over the weekend. Hey, that’s perfect. Weekends are meant to be fun. Just because you are on a diet doesn’t mean you cannot eat out with your friends or family! But did you know that you can gain more weight over the weekend? Here are 7 tricks for the weekends to enjoy food without gaining an inch of flab.
Avoid Free Snacks
Alcohol does contain a lot of calories but so does free snacks at the bar. Avoid munching on it. Instead order a healthy snack such as sauteed prawn with chili sauce, baby carrots with hummus, turkey jerky, bacon wrapped brussel sprouts, endive leaves filled with chopped tomato and ricotta cheese, celery dipped in vinegar, and hard boiled eggs with cayenne pepper and salt.
Share Your Happy Hour Free Vodka
Somehow all our happiness comes rushing to us during happy hours. It makes us feel like we are in a win-win situation no matter how bad a day we have had. But, if you are trying to lose weight without missing out on the fun, share your +1 drink with your buddies. Also, it is better to drink neat or with ice water instead of carbonated drinks or juice.
Share Your Popcorn, Ditch Soda At The Movies
The popcorn and soda combo at a big screen theater is just irresistible. A mouth full of popcorn seems to complement every emotional ups and downs that we experience at the theater. Now, did you know that you were consuming about 1500 calories? It would take 3-4 days of rigorous workout session to burn those extra calories! So, here is what you can do. Opt for ice water or black coffee instead of soda. Avoid cheese or caramel popcorn and share your salted popcorn tub with your friends. If you go to the movies alone, eat a filling meal before you head out. If you are allowed to take snacks inside the theater, take 1/2 cup of soy crisps or tapioca chips with yogurt dip in your bag.
Avoid Fast Food Restaurants
So you are out with your friends on a weekend, and suddenly you hear your stomach gurgling. The monster inside your stomach is not only hungry but also angry that you have kept him without food for so long (an hour or so)! If you want to treat yourself without the FOMO, march with your friends into a restaurant that serves a variety of foods. Pick the most tasty yet healthy food in the menu such as hummus, grilled chicken breast without skin, chicken salad, grilled salmon with greens, grilled mushroom and asparagus, brown rice and honey glazed chicken with veggies, fresh fruit juice without sugar, pasta bolognese, hamburger with low-fat mayonnaise, oven fried fish and chips, lean cut oven fried lamb balls, chicken or egg burritos, steak with 1 cup grilled veggies, seafood platter, spicy grilled cauliflower, wheat pasta and meatballs, small spinach and chicken pizza, vegetable taco, and chicken and veggies tortilla. Wow, how much more variety could you ask for in healthy food choices?
Date Night? Eat Light
Date nights are alway special. You look your best, smile and hold hands, and dine out. That’s great! What’s not so great about it is that you can completely forget about your weight loss plans. To stick to your weight loss plan, choose a dress that fits you well. This will keep you motivated to eat less. Go for clear soup or foods that are grilled or baked. Drink a glass of water 10-15 minutes before you start your meal. Order two healthy appetizers or a bowl of clear soup so that you can eat less portion of the main course. Finally, make your last romantic move by sharing the dessert with your date.
Add Healthy Crunch To Your Sunday Brunch
Lazy Sunday brunches with friends is a great mental detox for us girls. Then again, it definitely can throw you off the track and add half a tire to your belly if not one! The trick is to drink a cup of coconut water or half a cup of low-fat yogurt before the brunch and to choose the food you order. Share the greasy and cheesy comfort food. Opt for crunchy blanched veggies. For dessert either share a chocolate brownie or eat a bowl of seasonal fruits. You can also carry two cubes of dark chocolate that you can enjoy on your way back.
Don’t Miss The Weekend Dancing Event
Weekends do make us a sloth bear, but hey you gotta move to lose! Dancing is one of the best ways to burn calories. You can dance crazy at home or go to a local dancing event. Alone or with friends, you are going to have loads of fun as you shake your legs to the music and sweat out the toxins. Single ladies, this is also a good place to find a hot dancer date (wink!).
So change into your party dress and enjoy the weekend like everyone else. Just trick your brain into eating less, and for sure you will not find your dress tight on Monday!
