Too many treats on the weekend can lead to disaster on the bathroom scale

You usually pay close attention to what you eat, but after an exhausting week, you feel you have sorely won the right to finally relax. After all, a little indulgence here and there surely cannot affect your ability to maintain a healthy body weight, right? Well, numerous studies have clearly demonstrated that when you are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy body weight, a little discipline and restraint every day of the week is actually entirely necessary. In fact, according to a study conducted by Washington University, regularly indulging on weekends can result in a weight gain of nine pounds (four kilograms) over the course of a year!

Eating is undoubtedly one of the great pleasures of life, so why not take advantage of it! A few tips can help you control your calorie intake on weekends, without unnecessarily depriving yourself. For example, why not go biking or walk a little longer than you usually do in the afternoon when you have a party planned for the evening? In addition to doing wonders for your waistline, physical activity is also an effective way to keep those sneaky little pangs of hunger at bay.

Another good habit: eat breakfast! Eating a healthy morning meal can prevent you from rummaging through the refrigerator in search of something to nosh on.

You should also pay close attention to portion sizes. Eat generous portions of salads and fresh vegetables but reduce serving sizes when it comes to the main course. After all, you could always take another small helping if you are still hungry. Furthermore, you should use your gift of the gab during social gatherings! This will force you to eat more slowly, and, in the end, eat less.

Alcohol is another point of vulnerability. One, or two, cocktails before dinner and a few handfuls of nuts can easily account for 500 additional calories, that is to say, a quarter of the recommended daily calorie intake. As with everything else, moderation is the key!

If you weigh yourself regularly, think about stepping on the scale on Mondays and Fridays. Doing so will help you keep small weight changes in check, prompting you to take action before the pounds can accumulate.