By: Bre Walt

How to have a diet-friendly weekend

So, it’s the end of the week and nothing is more exciting than your upcoming fun-filled weekend. In fact, Friday evening can’t come soon enough.

Many dieters complain of a common problem though – that their healthy week is sabotaged by the time Sunday comes around. Pubs, parties and events can be filled with unhealthy food and drink choices. Or perhaps you get trapped in front of the TV with a bag of chips each weekend.

Whatever your weakness, by following some simple tips you’ll feel just as on-track Sunday, as you (hopefully) do right now.

Eat before you go out

An all too common mistake is that we forget to eat a full, nutritious meal before beginning our evening plans. Instead of going out right from work, go home first for dinner. Eating a full meal before going out will not only save you from the greasy pub food choices, but will also leave you with less room for alcohol. By going out on an empty stomach, you’re pretty much guaranteeing the wrong food choices, and too much drink.

If you must go out on an empty stomach, opt to eat salad and some protein, with the dressing on the side. Or stop at a healthy restaurant on your way to the pub – you’ll thank yourself later.

Go for the health(ier) drinks

Avoid the fatty, carb-filled beers and opt for a lower calorie beverage that is sipped over a long period of time. If beer is your thing, choose a bottled light beer. Having it in a bottle avoid excessive drinking. Or choose a glass of white wine or champagne, and sip it to make it last. If you tend to go for mixed drinks, choose one mixed with water or diet soda. A Bacardi and Diet Coke has about 70 calories, while a single shot of Wild Turkey Whiskey is almost 300 calories. You’ll save a lot of calories by being conscious of your drinks and not just your food.

Suggested drinks:

• 1 oz. Bacardi rum and Diet Coke – approx. 69 calories
• Bottled Coors Light – approx. 102 calories
• Rum or Vodka with water and lemon – approx. 69 calories
• Glass of white wine – approx. 70 calories
• Glass of champagne – approx. 91 calories

Whatever it is you’re drinking, always drink a full glass of water between alcoholic drinks to keep you hydrated.

Get active

Encourage those you spend your weekend with to get active. Whether it is a long afternoon walk in the park or a game of tennis, take advantage of your time away from the desk and do something fun and active. Spending just one hour each day of the weekend on a healthy activity will make a world of difference in your weekend.

Suggested weekend activities:

• A walk or run in a park you’ve never been to
• An amusement park or zoo that requires a lot of walking
• Go to the mall and make sure you walk the entire perimeter of the entire building
• Buy a new exercise video and try it out
• Take a weekend dance or fitness class

Try cooking something new

You never have time during the week to cook fancy meals, but why not try a new, healthy recipe and invite friends over for dinner? Not only will you have leftovers for Monday’s lunch bag, but also you’ll impress your friends with your fine culinary skills.

Cooking’s not your thing? Seek out a healthy restaurant you have not tried and order the most delish (and healthy) item on the menu. And if you’re really ambitious, walk to pick it up instead of opting for delivery.

Keep that water in tow!

Wherever you go and whatever you do, keep your water bottle close by. Buy one that fits in your purse so that you are never without your h2o. Keep hydrated throughout the weekend and you’ll feel better about your weekend health habits on Monday morning.

Have a healthy weekend, all!

Next from the Healthy Woman: How not to starve yourself and still lose weight.

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