Even the best weight loss plans can get waylaid come the weekend, when the temptation to forego the gym for the sofa can be hard to resist.

However Men's Fitness has a few tips to make your days off more dynamo than disaster, even if you are planning a few drinks.

If you head out for dinner, set the tone for the meal by choosing a healthier starter, the news provider advises.

Steer clear of mixed drinks, which can contain upwards of 500 calories each. Instead, stick with a 150-calorie beer or glass of wine and alternate alcoholic beverages with mineral water to stay hydrated.

Start weekend mornings with a healthy breakfast - even if you wake up later than usual, it will rev up your metabolism.

That does not mean you have to forego a fry-up. Grilling food instead of frying it, using reduced-fat sausages, lean bacon with the fat cut off and poaching or boiling eggs can cut the calorie content of a traditional English breakfast by half.

Finally, take a break from your typical fitness training routine. If you generally go jogging, try an indoor rowing machine - you will burn more fat as you put demands on different muscles.