Weekends are great for sleeping, relaxing, and getting FAT! A study from the University of North Carolina found that we generally eat an extra 222 calories PER DAY over the course of a weekend. That means your Friday, Saturday, and Sunday pig outs could result in a weight gain of almost 10 pounds per year! So here’s how you can survive the weekend without ruining your waistline, courtesy of Weider Publications. For example:

• Let’s say you plan on attending a friend’s barbecue this weekend. How can you avoid inhaling a pile of burgers, fries, and potato salad? First, EAT BREAKFAST! Having something in your stomach first thing in the morning kick starts your metabolism, so you burn more calories throughout the day. Plus, people who eat breakfast tend to eat less throughout the rest of the day – consuming about 200 fewer calories. Then, when you’re at the barbecue, keep a glass of water or unsweetened iced tea in your dominant hand – the one you normally eat with. If your hand is full, you won’t be able to sample the side dishes.
• Let’s say you’ll be dining out at a restaurant this weekend. How can you keep your diet in check? Decide on a healthy entrée choice before you get to the restaurant, and make sure you’re the first one to order. That way, you won’t be tempted to change your mind when your buddy orders the fettuccini Alfredo. Like we always say, start your meal with soup. The liquid takes up more room in your stomach, so you feel fuller sooner and eat less overall.
• What if you plan to spend your weekend parked on your couch? If you want to avoid becoming as WIDE as that couch, try this: Jump on the scale Saturday morning, and tell yourself you’ll do it again Monday morning. It’ll be a lot easier to resist that bag of cookies when the thought of your Monday-morning weigh-in is lingering in your mind. DON’T eat anything directly from the bag or container – you’ll lose track of how much you’ve eaten. Place a few chips or crackers on a plate, and put the rest of the food away.