Weekend Challenges
Photo by Lee Myungseong on Unsplash
They Just Keep Coming
Weekends are one third of the year. Although time may have been dragging in the last three months, restrictions are easing all over the country, the weather has turned and you may soon be socializing and dining al fresco more regularly.
If you go off track every weekend it will be nearly impossible to lose weight and successfully keep it off. What our summer looks like in 2020 doesn’t matter because the challenges will always come - just in different packages. We all must learn how to manage our social lives to support our goals over the long term.
Is the weekend when you “deserve” to have fun? When you “deserve” to do what you want? When you go out with your friends who want all the apps and drinks? When you feel sorry for yourself because “everyone else” is doing what they want all weekend? When your children always want to get pizza?
You probably have to change what you are eating, but more importantly you have to change how you are thinking.
Do you give yourself permission to eat differently on the weekend? Why is that?
Is it because you are on a “diet” all week and cannot stand it another day?
Why are you living feeling deprived for 5 days of the week? How can you plan and change your eating pattern so that Saturday does not look that different from Tuesday?
Is it because you are going along to fit in with friends or family?
Your WHY needs some work. Not just - I want to be healthy. Why do you want to be healthy - to keep up with my children. Why do you want to keep up with your children - to be a great role model. Why do you want to be a great role model - so they do not struggle like I have. Why do you want them to not struggle the way you have - because it has been really hard.
Is it because it has always been this way and change is SO HARD?
Ask yourself why you want to change your eating habits. Look at the example above - keep asking yourself why…until you have a deep answer.
When I started my weight loss journey 12 years ago, I would specifically decline some social invitations because I knew that I was not strong enough to go out and stay on track. And, I recognized at that time that staying on track was more important to me than going out for a night with friends. One night would end up setting me back too far both mentally and on the scale; additionally - I also then found it harder to get back on track the next day.
When I go out now, I know that feeling great and feeling in control is worth way more than any food or drink. I view the weekend as a nice change of pace from routine but not as an excuse to shift the way I live until Monday rolls around again. I have shifted my mindset AND I use strategies like not eating the bread, getting an appetizer for my main course, eating what I cannot get at home, not going out for one than one meal on the weekend, sharing dessert, etc.
What do want to start practicing this weekend? What does your weekend look like and what planning do you need to do? What changes can you make? Can you go out and have fun without over indulging? As always - start small and practice your skills every day - with takeout or at a restaurant.
AND - keep practicing - many of these changes can take years before they feel normal and comfortable. You are worth the effort.
