Hanging Out Without Dining Out

kapspecial

It seems that everyone in my circle only knows how to bond or catch-up over lunch/brunch/dinner at a restaurant. I'm like is there no other form of bonding or entertainment outside of eating at a freakin restaurant. Do you any of you have some suggestions on doing things with others that do not involve food? I'm trying to come up with something besides just turning down the invites. Alternatives will be good for my fitness goals as well as my wallet. Thanks in advance.

UponThisRock

Eating out isn't that hard. I'm pretty sure a small sirloin steak and veggies will fit into anyone's diet. Lot of restaurants have "lite" menu items that are <600 calories.

juicemoogan

Well, people love eating,.,. so.. some options are...
- Ask your friends to come over and cook a nutritious meal
- Choose a restaurant that has healthy options and stick to them

or
ask your friends to get together for a group workout. go for a hike together, or try a new class together.

ChristieStearns

I agree about the cooking. Cooking and inviting them over, while it does mean you have to do the work, gives you control and knowledge of what you're having.

As someone else said yes there's things you can eat out and still be healthy... but I'm assuming you know that and are looking for other ideas.

What about Starbucks, do they like coffee? There are great options there like iced coffee with skim milk and sugar free syrup, a plain coffee frappucino, that are easy to fit into your day and it's easy to chat for an hour or two.

Would they be interested in joining you for outdoor walks? Also a great way to chat.

How about going to a mall to "window shop" which basically you'll walk around and chat... moving and not eating. Perhaps they want to eat after and you go to the mall food court where everyone can get what they want which lets you go with a much healthier option than they might choose themselves.

Are there any hobbies you might ask them to try with you? Like joining a learning-to-knit group? Then you could get together for knitting and just bring your own snacks.

You could host a movie night at your home and also make it bring-your-own snacks. Then you can have whatever you want and maybe plan to have a couple handfulls of your favorite snack food but you can plan it into your day. Plenty of time for chatting before & after the movie.

Hope some of these might help

yesthistime

My bestie is throwing a healthy food potluck at her house this month. I'm not into cooking healthy food, so I am bringing a bag of Cuties :bigsmile:

You can also go out to eat, but have something very light or just have a drink while everyone else eats.

kapspecial

@ChristieStear those were some really great suggestions. I'll get to work on some of those and see what the troops will go for. They are lazy/greedy bunch (literally and I WAS a card carrying member). Thanks!

kapspecial

My bestie is throwing a healthy food potluck at her house this month. I'm not into cooking healthy food, so I am bringing a bag of Cuties :bigsmile:

I'm not much of a cook, but a bag of cuties!??!?! Too funny.

jenniferdances1

Do some type of class like painting, pottery, mosaic, cooking, dancing, etc. Those are always fun!:)

carlaunderconstruction

Going out for tea
Hanging out at a park, bring a big blanket, picnic food if desired, frisbee
Someone mentioned outdoor walks, my friends and I try to pick different trails to go on each time we meet up
Swimming
I don't know if you and your friends would be into it, but badmington (depending on how competitive you are, it can be fairly social)

LeilaFace

We have "Game nights" either board games, video games or whatever. We also have movie nights. I even coordinate a walk/hike for quality time. There's also going to the movies (you don't have to buy the buttery popcorn), going to a beach/lake, bike ride, poker night. This weekend we're having a board game night at our house and a movie marathon.

chiera88

invite them over to your place. cook, cook together, or everyone bring whatever they want and you eat what you need. after awhile, others should start hosting. i've had a lot of trouble with this also

Beatrix0810

It seems that everyone in my circle only knows how to bond or catch-up over lunch/brunch/dinner at a restaurant. I'm like is there no other form of bonding or entertainment outside of eating at a freakin restaurant. Do you any of you have some suggestions on doing things with others that do not involve food? I'm trying to come up with something besides just turning down the invites. Alternatives will be good for my fitness goals as well as my wallet. Thanks in advance.

I have this SAME issue. I either eat before I meet up with my friends and just meet them a little later on for drinks, OR in the case of brunch I will order the healthiest thing on the menu (usually every restaurant has a yogurt/fruit thing or an oatmeal option) and just order that and hang out. Another option is to eat a healthy breakfast snack like yogurt or a healthy cereal or whatever you normally eat, and then just order a side of fruit and munch on that while everyone is eating, or just get a side or whole wheat toast. It's actually pretty easy, you just have to get creative. Good luck!!

Beatrix0810

It seems that everyone in my circle only knows how to bond or catch-up over lunch/brunch/dinner at a restaurant. I'm like is there no other form of bonding or entertainment outside of eating at a freakin restaurant. Do you any of you have some suggestions on doing things with others that do not involve food? I'm trying to come up with something besides just turning down the invites. Alternatives will be good for my fitness goals as well as my wallet. Thanks in advance.

I have this SAME issue. I either eat before I meet up with my friends and just meet them a little later on for drinks, OR in the case of brunch I will order the healthiest thing on the menu (usually every restaurant has a yogurt/fruit thing or an oatmeal option) and just order that and hang out. Another option is to eat a healthy breakfast snack like yogurt or a healthy cereal or whatever you normally eat, and then just order a side of fruit and munch on that while everyone is eating, or just get a side or whole wheat toast. It's actually pretty easy, you just have to get creative. Good luck!!

We also started doing "family dinner nights" where one person cooks a meal once a month, and so on. You can always request (bc they are your friends and they love you) that they include a whole wheat pasta option or whole wheat bread or turkey burger substitute for you, etc etc. You can also bring along a couple of healthy options to the party to share and just eat that if your friends are making an unhealthy meal. Then at least once a month or whenever your turn is you can cook how you want AND chill with friends.

ChristieStearns

I'm glad you liked the suggestions! I only wish I had people to do those things with. I have no circle - all my friends are separate and we tend to hang out one on one.. so I have thought about these fun get togethers Hope you have fun with them!

kelseyhere

Based on the fact that you're a woman I'm going to suggest shopping. Hit the mall, you don't have to buy anything, just walk around and window shop. At least you'll be on your feet and moving. It's also easier to convince lazy friends to go to the mall than it is to convice them to walk outside.

My other favorite suggestion is dancing- burns a ton of calories and is fun too. Maybe not the best option if you want to chat though.

Bowling is another good one almost anyone can be on board with. It's really fun to go with good friends and laugh at each other in those stupid shoes. You won't burn a lot of calories, but at least you're up and away from the table. A lot of places offer late night bowling too you don't have to worry about the kiddy-atmosphere.

ReneeJ814

I love bowling and maybe skating. You're hanging out with friends and sort of get a mini workout in.