I dread eating out

llpenman
llpenman Posts: 7
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi guys! So i have just started my new diet, this is day 3! I work 6 days every week so on my day off my friends like to get together for lunch and a few drinks.....I am dreading this part as with diets in the past i have went out having a 'treat' day then the next day i don't want to start back to my healthy eating and give in!! Any tips on what i can do to enjoy myself yet stay healthy?!

Replies

  • Illona88
    Illona88 Posts: 903 Member
    Exercise in the morning/afternoon before going out.

    This way you are compensating for your meal at the restaurant and you will be less likely to think "oh, I've gone over, I may as well give up". Don't make it a treat day, but let yourself eat a bit more in exchange for exercise.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    and thats the problem with a 'diet'.

    where as if you adopt a healthy lifestyle then you can still eat out and have a few treats as part of the food you eat.

    i eat out usually once a week and it never hindered my weight loss. just dont go crazy with 3 massive courses!! do an extra workout in the morning and make sure you pick something that is really worth the extra calories!!!!
  • mshopey
    mshopey Posts: 125 Member
    Eat some fruit before you go out so your not starving, and make sure your not afraid to leave it when your full.
    That's my downfall, i think i'm full, but because i've paid for it i don't want to waste my money by leaving any.
    And exercise before would be good, because if you've already put all that effort in, it'll remind you not to waste the effort by eating crap.
    :)
  • ellarainbow
    ellarainbow Posts: 9
    Whatever you choose, you can look at it when it arrives and say to yourself for example "this much of each of these things looks like a good but not excessive meal" then just eat that. Alternatively eat as much as you want but eat slowly and really keep asking yourself whether you've eaten enough yet. If you have a drink then maybe also have a glass of water on the side and keep sipping both.
  • Caroljean205
    Caroljean205 Posts: 4
    If you know where you are going to eat, plan on what you are going to order before walking in! Stick to it. Try sipping on a glass of water or diet soda in between alcoholic drinks. Good luck!
  • khadijak17
    khadijak17 Posts: 393 Member
    Use that 7th day as a treat day and then get back on track the day after your more likely to keep goin on your lifestyle change if you know there's that one day you can have a splurge :)
  • llpenman
    llpenman Posts: 7
    Thanks to everyone for your advice! I'm already feeling better about eating out now! I'm so glad i have everyone on here to guide me! :D
  • annie7hudds
    annie7hudds Posts: 199 Member
    Good tips offered.

    It can be a challenge, particularly when you are new into a healthy eating plan and so committed, but in reality you aren't always going to have total control of every day's food intake.

    Maybe suggest going to a restaurant that has foods that will make it easier to stick to plan. i,e, no deep fried food places/pizza/mexican. Somewhere that has the option of a lean meat/fish dish served with vegetables/salad.

    Be the designated driver so that you don't have to drink alcohol either. That is what I do, which also helps in that once I have had a drink I lose all willpower.

    Don't dread eating out, fit the meal out into your weekly overall plan and enjoy it. :)
  • 714rah714
    714rah714 Posts: 759 Member
    Exercise in the morning/afternoon before going out.

    This way you are compensating for your meal at the restaurant and you will be less likely to think "oh, I've gone over, I may as well give up". Don't make it a treat day, but let yourself eat a bit more in exchange for exercise.
    This, and make healthy choices
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    It's not a "DIET" it's a lifestyle change and eating out is part of 99% of the populations lifestyle. Every restaurant I know has something healthy on their menu and if you don't see anything ask them to alter something. Or like other said, if you know you will be going to a "big" dinner, workout beforehand (burn 400-500 calories) and it won't matter if you make the "wrong" decision.
  • JulieBGoood
    JulieBGoood Posts: 120 Member
    Check out the "Eat this not that" books. They show you good choices at most chains as well as somethings you would think might be a good choice but are not. I have learned a lot from these books and they helped me lose 40 lbs before I was on MFP.
  • GabbiMarie826
    GabbiMarie826 Posts: 11
    I have had the same issue. My fiance and I love to eat out, as do our friends. Now instead of eating out all the time, we are restricting ourselves greatly.

    I was invited to the movies to see Les Mis on Saturday, and I am currently trying to find something easier to sneak in as well as healthy. I plan on eating fairly close to the movie as well.

    Sometimes planning can be frustrating because I want to be spontaneous but there are some things we have to sacrifice in the name of health!

    I hope you enjoy your day out!
  • nabzilla_uk
    nabzilla_uk Posts: 45 Member
    I eat out at least once a week! the way i approached it is to ensure my weekly net calories are over my goal, so if i go a little over i have a cushion. I also look at what i can leave out and what i want the most - I always have a dessert but leave a starter. If you know where you are going there are lots of restaurant details on mfp already - so you can plan what you will eat in advance ;) the most important thing is not to miss out on socialising because you are trying to lose weight.
  • GdeVries
    GdeVries Posts: 232 Member
    and thats the problem with a 'diet'.

    where as if you adopt a healthy lifestyle then you can still eat out and have a few treats as part of the food you eat.

    i eat out usually once a week and it never hindered my weight loss. just dont go crazy with 3 massive courses!! do an extra workout in the morning and make sure you pick something that is really worth the extra calories!!!!

    THIS!
  • Heyyleigh
    Heyyleigh Posts: 268 Member
    You are either eating healthy or your not, try to remember that when you go out. If this is a lifestyle change and you are serious, you have to find a balance. Since you are in the first week basically, I would NOT recommend you having a cheat day or meal. Up to you as you know your plan/goals. Just saying................. People always say "work it into your calories" that is so hard when going out. When I first started monthssssss ago, I stopped going out. Its a problem for me and I recognize that. Even now 8 mths later I still dread it!
    Good Luck!
  • SGT_Reg
    SGT_Reg Posts: 186 Member
    Never stop eating what you enjoy, unless it is primarily deep fried. I go to Chilis at least once a week, but it fits into my Macros. Sometimes I jam it in. You cannot succeed if you deprive yourself of he things that you truly love. Chilis.
  • mruntidy
    mruntidy Posts: 1,015 Member
    Sorry this is totally not the thread I thought it was
  • Francesca3162
    Francesca3162 Posts: 520 Member
    My husband is a chef, so dinner almost every night is like a restaurant.
    I choose proteins that are broiled or steamed not fried.
    I choose vegetables or side salad for sides.
    I avoid butters and sauces.
    And I always take at least half of it home.... or leave it on the table.

    Its food....fuel for the body.. after the first few bites I have satisfied my tastebuds, the rest is just filling!!!
  • ColleenHollis
    ColleenHollis Posts: 53
    I started researching calorie counts before going. A few extra steps of planning ahead of time is so worth it. Also I make a protein drink before and it fills my stomach and helps me to make better choices.
  • ehmadore
    ehmadore Posts: 72 Member
    No drinking, empty calories. It's all about calories in and calories burned. If you have 3500 a week deficit in calories you have nothing to worry about. So if you go a little over calories you probably still have a deficit. If I go out I try to work out before, drink water or unsweetened tea, and half my meal. But I still eat things like burgers, fries, etc. Just a lot less.
  • Betsiz17
    Betsiz17 Posts: 95 Member
    Thanks for all the ideas. My office is going out for a co-worker's bday lunch today, then tomorrow evening my other employer is taking the whole staff out to dinner as a thank you. So, I will definitely be putting my healthy eating skills into practice.
  • Squatbenchrepeat
    Squatbenchrepeat Posts: 21
    I eat what I want and hardly ever fit it in my macros. No troubles here. Granted I am not 1000 over, but more fuel = better lifts!
  • Celuwen
    Celuwen Posts: 80 Member
    As you're in the UK, you should be able to choose a restaurant that has opted into the calories display scheme.

    http://www.food.gov.uk/scotland/news-updates/news/pressreleases/2009/apr/foodoutletscaloriesmenus#.UObfVG-il34

    Only around 2 of 5 have opted in though, so it's still tricky.
  • Kell_Smurthwaite
    Kell_Smurthwaite Posts: 384 Member
    Do your research before you go. Look at the menu and find the healthiest options on it. Decide what you will have before you go and STICK TO THAT.

    Lots of places have their menu and nutritional info online now, making it even easier. I was amazed that Pizza Hut has a delicious pizza that's around 400 cals for the whole thing (the Virtuous Veg), so I know I can safely go out for lunch there with friends and not blow out. They also have a chicken one and a seafood one for around 450 cals each.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    I am dreading this part as with diets in the past i have went out having a 'treat' day then the next day i don't want to start back to my healthy eating and give in!!

    I believe this ^^ (getting back to new healthy eating habits after a treat day) is one of the hardest things to conquer for many people. After a while having the occasional treat day without wanting to make every day a treat day will become easier, but till then focus on your goals and use good old fashioned will power to make you do it. Sometimes you just have pull yourself up by the bootstraps and do what you know needs doing.
  • cleomouri
    cleomouri Posts: 51 Member
    Look on the menu for the 'Lighter offerings" section. Many of the places I go to have a section of the menu that's devoted to this and often list the WW points too. Others use a symbol or something next to each menu offering to highlight the healthier options.

    Try eating an appetizer as your main meal or ask for a half portion/lunch sized portion of whatever it is you want to order. I don't know that all restaurants will do this, but it's worth asking for. If you're like me I always feel guilty about spending money on food I don't eat. If there's less of it to begin with I don't feel so bad about cleaning my plate.


    Just make smarter/better choices. For instance, instead of going for a big steak and baked potato with all the trimmings, maybe go for a wrap with steamed veggies or a side salad or something.

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