Blitz Weekend Weight Gain

Is the number on the scale refusing to budge despite your best efforts? You might be falling victim to the weekend weight-gain trap.

We might spend Monday to Friday kilojoule counting and hitting the gym, but it’s on Saturday and Sunday that our diets are most likely to go off the rails. Here are 10 ways to stay on track and still have fun...

BE REALISTIC

Your goal for the weekend is to keep your weight stable (actually losing weight is for Monday to Friday – see box, right). With this approach, you can still achieve a steady loss of half a kilo or so a week.

CATCH UP ON YOUR SLEEP

There’s a strong correlation between sleep deprivation and weight gain, so use the weekend to make sure you get enough sleep (yes, we really are giving you an excuse to have a lazy lie-in!). The more rested you are, the better you’ll be at fending off cravings, and the more likely you are to stay active. And while you’re asleep, you won’t be eating!

BE PREPARED