Caution: Relaxing the rules on the weekends

If you show great restraint during the week, only to indulge over the weekend, your habits will take a toll on your waistline. In fact, many calorie-conscious people gain a small amount of weight on the weekends because they eat more and exercise less than during the week, a recent study at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found.

The fix: Aim for consistency. Try to keep your eating and exercise habits similar on both weekdays and weekends. Anticipate tempting situations, and watch your portion sizes even if you're dining out or going to a party. And check your alcohol intake: Besides containing hidden calories, cocktails can loosen your inhibitions, leading you to eat more than you intend to.

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