Well, can you?

Having a weight loss goal doesn't mean you need to live under a rock. In fact, it's quite the contrary. When you start to feel better about yourself, people notice, whether it's inside or out. People will comment on your glow, how much happier you seem and people will actually want to be around this new energy of yours.

So what does that mean? You're out and about, skitting along to social gatherings, parties, brunch or whatever takes your fancy. But seriously, how exactly do Carrie, Samatha, Charlotte and Miranda (yes I used to love Sex and the City) do it without gaining more blubber than a blue whale in a week?

The basics of weight loss = burning more calories than you consume.

In this article, I am going to show you exactly how I enjoy my weekends, without ever feeling guilty or worrying that I'm going over my daily calorie allowance.

1. Drink low calorie, low carb alcohol. My favourite drink AKA gin, is 52 calories with zero carbs, a banana is 110 - choose wisely. Jokes aside, if you're going to be drinking with friends or family go for the low calorie, low carb drinks. In order of calories for a 50ml measure these are:

Captain Morgan Rum: 86 calories

Gordon's Gin: 96 calories

Vodka: 97 calories

Jack Daniels: 98 calories

Courvoisier Brandy: 104 calories

Drink them neat, choose a sugar free mixer or go for the best option which is soda water.

Avoid the calorie, carbohydrate rich drinks like cocktails, dark ales and beers, ciders, creamy and regular liquors and most wines.

2. Plan. If you are tracking your calories, for successful weight loss, make sure you plan your weekend wisely. Weekends are for fun, so there will be opportunities for eating out, drinking and general sloth like behaviour.

If you know you're going to eat out - do so moderately, with say one meal and save enough calories on your plan to do it. It's a simple as eating very moderately for the day and saving your calories for your 'free meal' later in the evening.

This isn't something you should do regularly, but it's the best way to continue on a weight loss journey without falling off the waggon. When 'free' meals are planned and factored in, it doesn't screw up your results and you also don't feel guilty.

3. Choose your takeaway wisely. On any good weight loss plan that you will stick to, there needs to be some flexibility. Which means, you CAN have a takeaway. However, there are good and not so good ones to choose for your calories. Go for meals that have more protein and less carbs. You will get a much more filling, satisfying meal for your calories. A big juicy shish kebab with salad and no pita is a great option and will set you back around 500 calories. Having just 2 slices of peperoni pizza will set you back about the same, and whoever has just 2 slices?

Other great options include: all the tomato based Indian curries with plain boiled rice, Chinese dishes that are stir fried with plain boiled rice, proper Italian thin crust Pizzas

Avoid dishes with creamy sauces (tikka masala), things that are deep fried (think spring rolls), heavily processed meats (think donner kebab) and heavily processed carbs (think noodles, American style pizzas)

4. Eat before you drink. If you want to keep successfully losing weight and you're going out for the evening, make sure you have a healthy dinner with a good amount of protein, some healthy fat and some starchy carbohydrate.

The reason for this is so that you don't get hungry later on on your night out and have an episode of what I like to call 'kebab shop amnesia.' Getting the beer munchies is the worst, especially if you are actually hungry, once you start eating, you'll find it hard to stop. Making sure you eat a nutritious filling meal beforehand should keep it at bay.

5. Set boundaries beforehand. Decide on your free meal, or how many drinks you'll have on your night out, know how many calories it'll cost you and then stop before it turns into oblivion. If you stay within the limits you set yourself and make sure that alcoholic drinks and free meals are factored into your plan, you can stay on the path to your weight loss goal.

Weight loss doesn't mean deprivation. Affording yourself the flexibility to have a free meal each week or a few drinks instead of going through months on end of restriction will prevent you from ending up on an all out binge which will likely lead you to quitting your weight loss journey altogether.

PSSST! It's not too late to get started on your summer body goals. Get a 10 minute strategy call on the house so you can learn how to lose your first 2lbs, by dropping me a PM.