In most cases, overeating occurs through a consistent combination of oversized portions and habitual snacking, but sometimes it’s more insidious. 

Sometimes, it looks something like this:

  • Monday: 🥚🧀🍏🥗🍗🥑🥩🥦🌊 (~1,800 calories per day)
  • Tuesday: 🥚🧀🍏🥗🍗🥑🥩🥦🌊 (~1,800 calories per day)
  • Wednesday: 🥚🧀🍏🥗🍗🥑🥩🥦🌊 (~1,800 calories per day)
  • Thursday: 🥚🧀🍏🥗🍗🥑🥩🥦🌊 (~1,800 calories per day)
  • Friday: 🥚🧀🍏🥗🍗🥑🥩🥦🌊 (~1,800 calories per day)
  • Saturday: 🥞🥓🍔🍟🥤🍩🍕🍺🍦 (~4,000 calories per day)
  • Sunday: 🥞🥓🍔🍟🥤🍩🍕🍺🍦 (~4,000 calories per day)

Average daily calorie intake Monday through Friday? 1,800. 

Average daily calorie intake Monday through Sunday? 2,400.

And so, if this person were burning ~2,300 calories per day throughout the week, they’ll lose nearly a pound of fat by the weekend.

But then, if they were burning just ~2,000 calories per day on Saturday and Sunday, they’ll gain it all back by the time they return to “dieting.”

Remember: Energy balance is simple, but it isn’t forgiving, and losing weight is straightforward, but it isn’t easy.