5 Ways to prevent weight gain over the weekend

It’s no secret that keeping off extra weight gain over the weekend isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It can often seem downright impossible.

Especially when you’re out shopping, visiting weekend markets - with all those delicious goodies, going to the movies or enjoying a date night out.

But it doesn’t have to feel that way. It’s not all or nothing, you’ve just need to find the right balance and eat things in moderation.

Here are five tricks to help you overcome weekend indulgences:

Eat a good breakfast

Going out for the day? Indulge in the extra time you have over the weekends to whip up a healthy breakfast. If you’re going out for brunch, eat a small tub of low-fat plain yoghurt with some fruit. This will help prevent you from overindulging at the buffet.

Take your own movie snacks

Did you know that a medium popcorn and soda combo can bring in an extra 1 600 calories? If you want to nibble on something during the movie, make popcorn at home and pack in a small bag. You can also take mixed nuts, dried fruit or a granola bar.

Choose from the menu wisely

You don’t have to avoid eating out altogether just to avoid extra calories. Simply choose things from the menu that aren’t fried. Rather go for baked, broiled, grilled or braised options. If you’re set on eating dessert, choose something truly special, share it with your partner or friend and savour each bite!

Eat your food slowly

The weekends are short and there’s so much to do in those two days, but that doesn’t mean that you should scoff down your food. It takes your brain 15-20 minutes to signal that your stomach is full, so take your time. Enjoy each bite.

Snack before you shop

Shopping on an empty stomach is never a good idea. There’s just way too many sweet temptation out there. So instead of caving in, make sure you’ve had something small to eat before leaving home. Have a glass of water and low-fat yoghurt, nuts, a fruit, a few provitas or half a whole-wheat salad sandwich.

You don’t need to resist all the good stuff over the weekend in order to avoid extra weight gain, just make sure you do it in moderation.

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