The Most Fattening Days of the Week

Can't wait for the weekend? You know, those long brunches with friends, the dinners out, the extra glass of wine. Yep, put it that way and it's no wonder you can't find anything comfortable to wear on Monday morning. Or maybe you use weekends to fit in extra or longer workouts.

If you are in the former group, watch out. Weekend indulgences can add up to as much as a 9-pound gain in a year. No wonder: People on diet or exercise routines have been found not only to eat more on weekends but also to exercise less (sound familiar?).

When you relax your routine, it's not that hard to see how the pounds can pile up faster than unread newspapers. It takes 3,500 calories to put on a pound. That's a piece of cake (or two) . . . literally. One piece of Black-Out Cake (9") from the Cheesecake Factory weighs in at 1,480 calories. Add to that the dinner you had (Wasabi Crusted Ahi Tuna: 1,750) and you see where we're going.

On the lighter side, however, cutting just 100 calories a day (including weekends) can have you losing 10 pounds by the time the year is up. Of course, you don't have to work out all the time or stop going out to keep your weight steady. Just be smart while you're having fun: Make an easy, healthy brunch for you and your friends. Then, go horseback riding, bicycling, or just window shopping for the perfect -- smaller -- Monday morning outfit.