Dating & dieting?

If memory serves, Seagram's Honey Whiskey is only 60 calories for 1.5 oz, and over ice is nice to sip.

I swooned, though I prefer Single malt :P

I'll admit, dating and dieting isn't easy. I typically gain weight in a new relationship, but that has never stopped me from dating. You shouldn't have to put your life on hold just because you want to get healthier. In fact, the healthy eating needs to be incorporated into your life, or else you won't be able to maintain it.

Here's what works for me:
-When I know ahead of time where we are going, I look at the calories beforehand and make the choice then of what I am going to eat. This is the easiest/best way to do it, but it's not always an option.
-When I don't know ahead of time, I make healthy choices based on what I have learned. (For example, I know chicken fajitas and whole beans - not refried are often a good choice at Mexican food places).
-I eat light the rest of the day.
-I'm not much of a drinker and if it's a first date, I simply say that. No need to go into a detailed explanation. If I do go for drinks, I limit my number.
-I still workout and keep up with my "dieting"/exercise when not around the person of interest.

It's not a perfect system, but I've kept nearly 50 lbs off for almost a year now and in that time I've been in and out of relationships and done a lot of dating too. (And, now, I might add, I'm the happiest I've ever been with the man I will probably marry and I haven't gained a pound).

Good luck!!!! :bigsmile: It can be done!

If you're going to a bar and you're not a big drinker then have one drink and then go with water or soda after that. If you're on a dinner date, make wise choices. You don't have to explain yourself in any fashion. If you want to have a big dinner or more than one drink then do it. It's really up to you, but don't stress too much.

Agreed ^^^

I am not going to give up my social life...besides what I am working on is a lifestyle not a "diet". I say chill, if we go to a bar I either order one drink or soda water, iced tea ( I don't do diet soda but that is an option) ...relative to my mood. As far as food...there are always healthy choices on menus, just make the better choice or own the choices you make.

No need to get all, "I only eat salad and drink water." or " I am 20g short of my Protein macro and already over in my carbs, luckily I brought a can of tuna in my purse."

It's life....LIVE IT!!

Dieting and dating DO NOT go hand in hand.

If you are looking to better yourself, I think dating would sidetrack you. Everytime I've been in a new relationship, I've always put on 5 lbs or so. This was due to eating out more, skipping the gym, and just not being in my usual routine.

Also, if you are currently trying to lose weight, why put yourself out there right now? Why not wait until you are at your ideal weight (or close to it) to really get out there and get a partner. Presentation is extremely important and I've always felt it was best to be my absolute best before I get involved with someone else.

I'm gonna have to agree with this guy! I'd wait until you have reached your goals, because you're going to attract more people who have those similar goals, and share the same type of lifestyle. You don't want to get with someone comfortable now, because they might slow down your progress, or even if you kept at it, they won't ever want to share that type of life with you.

This is kind of a poor way of thinking. I agree with surrounding yourself with positive people, but I can support someone who is doing something that I am not all day. To say wait until you're more fit to find someone just seems shallow. Like if you don't, you'll look at who you are with and think oh wow I can totally do better, in which case you're just a jerk.

Puhleeze!!!! Go, eat/drink with a plan, budget accordingly and work out.....

I'm a robodater (I tend to go out 4-5 times a week), and I am still actively losing weight. I work out and make smart choices. I may drink once a week or so, but I have never been a big drinker and no one questions it.

and I'm a funny, charming, hottie wether I am goal weight or not... so waiting would just be a punishment to all the poor single fellas out there....

I just started dating a new guy and it can be tough. If I know the restaurant we are going to before hand I try to plan out a low calorie meal! I also mentioned that I like to eat healthy (I didn't say I was trying to loose weight) and he responded well to it. I know to limit my portions at restaurants- It is ok not to eat the entire meal! Also, when I go out for drinks I limit myself to one and am contious about what I order and the calories in it. Doing my homework before hand is what helps me out the most!

Good Luck!

This is great advice, I'll just say i'm trying to be healthy and leave it at that

Eeek I'm not a scotch or beer drinker - I'm not big into drinking at all, pretty much just wine. Shots at a club on occasion lol. I think i will have one glass of wine since we are going to a new wine bar I wanted to try. maybe I'll get my first workout in tomorrow to make up for it!

Ahhhh, wine!!!! My personal favorite. Go, have fun...ENJOY!

Review the menu before you go so that you can pick something that fits into your goals.

If you have a special event on certain days when you know you'll be eating/drinking more than normal, get in an extra workout that day so you can consume more calories and not have it affect your weight loss.

Newsflash: If dating and leading a healthy life is a problem, the problem is not the DATING. It's you. Saying you can't have both is just an excuse to get off the wagon.

Now go out there and have fun and stay within your goals.

If you don't really drink, just order one drink that you like and nurse it. It's a first date so you should only have one drink anyway (I am presuming you don't really know this person yet).

And you don't have to explain yourself at all. It's nobody's business that you are trying to lose weight. You don't have to make any apologies, excuses, or explanations for anything that you do or don't eat. If someone else has an issue with it, that's on them.

A first date is so exciting--relax and have fun!!!

Doesn't sound like your diet is going to work if you're going to be that ridged. It sounds so ridged that date or not you couldn't stick to it. A diet should be a lifestyle change.

Its not rigid, its working fine for me. I have been "dieting" all my life, this IS a lifestyle change - and part of my normal lifestyle has *always* been not being a big drinker because I don't like it. I was asking for advice on this specific issue, not judgment on my diet so please leave that out.

Then why would you agree to go to drinks if you're not a fan /facepalm

I don't think there's a need to draw attention to it, so no need to explain to someone you've just met your diet and weight loss plan.

Plus, there are plenty of lower calorie drink options if you so choose, such as light beer, vodka with club soda or tonic water, a glass of white wine, etc. Also, I agree with others who have said that a first date is no time to drink heavily anyway. Limit yourself to one drink, order a healthy meal, and hope for a second date!

This is timely for me as I think about getting back out there.

I've found with my new eating habits I'm kind of a buzz-kill at dinner. I don't drink so I never worry about that. But, I sometimes feel pressure to "just eat" or "live a little" when out with friends because I'm reflexively more cautious about the foods I'll order and they don't understand. What if my date is the same?

I know it is silly to be anxious over something that hasn't even happened yet but it is part of who I am. I worry. LOL!

So much of my new life is wrapped up in controlling my foods. I guess I need to date someone who will appreciate and support that. And planning ahead. Picking a locale that has options to support eating habits as well seem reasonable.

If I was a guy and I was going on a first date with a girl to a wine bar or any other bar, and she didn't drink, I'd feel pretty awkward. I don't like to drink alone and there's really no other reason for me to be at a wine bar other than to drink wine. I certainly wouldn't condemn you if you said you weren't a really big drinker, but if we were sitting there and I had a couple glasses of wine and you were sipping on water or diet coke I would most certainly wonder what they hell we were doing in a wine bar when we could have just as easily done something else that didn't leave me hangin' here drinking wine by myself.

If you're going to a wine bar have a couple glasses of wine...not going to kill you. I regularly indulge in adult beverages and it hasn't derailed me in the least...25 Lbs down since mid October. If you really don't want to drink anything, I'd recommend a change of venue.

I love this topic.... cause it is exactly where I am right now.. and I will admit it is not easy. But in all reality...the gentleman I have been dating for the last 12 week (insert high school giggle right here ) is an amazing person who understands all this dieting things and will help me with it all. he is not rude or make comments about what I am eating if I have made a "bad" choice... he just encourages me to make better choices.

It is sometimes discouraging when he wants to go tothe gym and I want to do something else... BUT.. with all due respect.... He goes to the gym and i would not change that. He has to maintain himself as I have to maintain me.

I would say... be totally up front and honest with him and tell him that you are with in a "life style change" and are going to keep at it!