Do you make awesome food choices and work out all week and then accidentally eat burgers and drink margaritas on the weekend? If so, my friend and Registered Dietitian Heather King recently outlined 6 easy ways to Fat Proof your weekend on one of our very popular morning shows here in San Antonio called: San Antonio Living. Even though I don’t agree with some of the processed foods they feature in the segment, Heather’s strategies make so much sense and are very doable.1.) Set your limit before you go – Happy hours can be brutal to your waist line. Prevent over indulgence and mega empty calories, by setting your limit before you head out. Choose drinks that you can sip on instead of guzzle like: a glass of wine, a good dark or amber (not light) beer or a scotch on the rocks instead of many, many Margs.
2.) Move the Snacks out of arms reach – Alcohol weakens your will power, so move that basket of chips away. That’s a tough one I know, chips are my nemesis. I’m all about the salty. If they’re out of sight, they’ll be out of mind. Doesn’t matter how much will power you have, if that basket of chips is staring you in the face, there’s no way they’re not going to end up in your belly.
3.) Know before you go and order first – Dining out is a huge challenge, so choose a place that you know has decent choices. That way you stand a chance. Also be sure you place your order first. Then when you hear everyone else ordering burritos, enchiladas and chimichangas you won’t be as tempted to throw in the towel and conform to the groups evil ways.
4.) Home Alone? Stay on Plan – Off schedule, at home with tons of time on your hands can be disastrous for your waist line. Don’t let yourself make unlimited scans of the fridge or the pantry. Schedule your meals and your snacks and don’t stray off course. Keep busy and change your focus off mindless eating.
5.) Party Hardy and Eat Before You Go – Birthday parties and barbeques aren’t ab friendly. Minimize your damage and eat a healthy meal before you go. You’ll be much less tempted to pig out on cake, chips, pizza and wings if you’ve kicked your hunger to the curb before you get there.
6.) Win the War Plan Ahead – Plan your activities and workouts along with your parties and happy hours. As with anything in life, balance is essential. Although I’m not big on the bank account model of diet and exercise, activity is great for the body and the mind because of all the positive metabolic and feel good hormones that are released during exercise.
Put these tips to work and check out Heather’s 5 minute video clip below. You’ll be better equipped to handle your weekend for sure.