Keep getting derailed on the weekends and can't compensate during the week

F/29/5'5/SW: 260 lbs/ CW: 190 lbs/ GW: 150 lbs

Over the span of a year I lost 50 lbs through diet (and some occasional light walking) alone. I ate an average 1200 calories/wk. During the summer of 2021 I decided to start taking exercise more seriously. I got a trainer and we meet 2x a week for an hour doing mostly lifting and sometimes light cardio. I lost another 20 lbs for a loss of 70 lbs total.

Then I kind of took a break from weight loss from October- Jan 1st. Covid had gotten better so I had some kind of social event every weekend plus the holidays. I didn't gain any weight and I kept up with my gym routine but I didn't lose weight during this time either. There's still 30-40 lbs I want to lose so I decided to get back on the wagon in the new year. I upped my gym time from 2x a week to 3x a week and tried to stick to 1200 calories/wk again.

But its been much more difficult. I got used to going out with friends or having a few glasses of wine with some crackers/wine snacks on the weekends. Its something I really enjoy and look forward to. In the past, I could have a 'cheat day' and it wouldn't really effect my week. But now my calorie deficit is smaller and I have to make sure I eat enough on days I go to the gym. I tried planning for the weekend in advance by eating slightly fewer calories (800-1000 calories) on some days during the week but my gym performance suffered. There were times I couldn't finish my workout or felt lightheaded/sick. I have only lost 1 lb per week at most, even on weeks where I my average calories were perfectly 1200. There have been a few weeks the scale said I hadn't lost any weight. It's been VERY slow. Much slower than the math predicts. Yet I can't seem to get out of the habit of drinking one or two days a week. A part of me doesn't really want to give up all social engagements again.

This is supposed to be a lifestyle change. I'm starting to wonder if I should just accept that 1200 isn't sustainable for me anymore and my weight loss from here on out is going to be painfully slow.

submitted by /u/throwawaygrad001
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