"Secret Dieting" and business meals?

lngman
lngman Posts: 23 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am very private when it comes to something like diets. I "let myself go" gradually over the past 5 years and want to take the weight back off my way without being a spectacle and announcing "I'm on a diet". I also want to be able to "cheat" from time to time without feeling judged (although I will log it here). Also, if I fail and fall off the healthy eating wagon (hope not), I want it to be a private matter.

As a guy who was a hearty eater (and beer drinker, when appropriate), I'm looking for tips on how to navigate business meals without saying "I'm on a diet". This week, my boss had a business lunch at a BBQ place (with no calories on the menu) and I panicked about my order (it turned out it wasn't so bad after all).

The next two weeks I am travelling for business to Chicago (steak and beer land) and Washington DC (fancy dinners). Lots of sedentary airplane time and almost no free time for any kind of exercise. There is no getting out of any of the meals.

Besides just trying to order the healthiest thing I can find on the menu (but how do you order a salad at a steak house and not get a few strange looks?) does anyone else have any advice for running with the "high calorie crowd" and not being obviously on a diet?

Thanks!

Replies

  • CherylP67
    CherylP67 Posts: 772 Member
    At a steak house, I would get a beef and Bleu salad with the dressing on the side. That way you are getting your roughage and experiencing the steak. Maybe a sirloin with veggies and salad instead of potatoes.

    I have a friend who travels to Chicago frequently. She asks for a half portion and tells them to charge what they must, and they always charge her less; even at Rosebuds.

    This is your life, you can make it work! Will you be walking a lot in these cities?
  • missyrawien
    missyrawien Posts: 37 Member
    Best advice from me would be to research the sorts of foods you're likely to be eating and have an idea of calories fixed in your mind before you order so you can keep a mental tally throughout the day. Have light lunches and light breakfasts if you're going to be eating a big meal, avoid snacks etc. Try not to drink alcohol as it's just empty calories and be aware of sugary soft drinks too. Try ordering a side salad instead of fries with your meal and don't eat the bread at the table etc. Try not to fill up on carbs if it's going to be a big meal!

    As far as "secret dieting" goes...I really don't think you should be ashamed of going on a diet. People will commend you for taking a big step towards getting healthy and you get used to telling people who say "Go on mate have a burger!!!" no thanks in a polite way. As for falling off the band wagon "privately" it just sounds like you're setting up for a fall. People can be a bit judgemental, (I know people saw me losing weight very slowly and judged me when I still would get healthier food,) but you really learn to ignore negativity. You don't have to go around shouting it from the roof tops but at the same time you shouldn't be ashamed either. Just a polite smile and a "I'm actually just watching my weight!" can go a long way.
  • quirkytizzy
    quirkytizzy Posts: 4,052 Member
    You can always say "Doctor's orders." Most people understand that.
  • AlabasterVerve
    AlabasterVerve Posts: 3,171 Member
    I don't know if guys do this but the women I know frequently eat less during the day when we have plans to eat out. So eat the steak and salad -- or any meat and non-starchy veg -- and just have a 1,000 or so calories saved for dinner.
  • norahwynn
    norahwynn Posts: 862 Member
    Order a sirloin (one of the leanest cuts), a baked sweet potato, and house salad with the dressing on the side. That'll be pretty low cal compared to the average meal at a steakhouse. You can also order salmon (usually at any steakhouse) or another steamed or grilled fish option. There are some pretty low cal drinks you can order, along with the lite beer options.

    As far as getting a workout in, if you have a smartphone and 30 minutes, you can get a good workout. There are some pretty good apps available and most of them are free or pretty cheap. Check out the Sworkit app. It's a pretty basic (not fancy at all) app, but I've used it a few times and I love it.

    Good luck!
  • kar328
    kar328 Posts: 4,159 Member
    I would stop thinking of it as a "diet." That word always has negativity attached to it. It's better/healthier eating. It may be easier to say "I'm eating healthier" if the subject comes up. I work with a lot of petty and judgemental people, my weight loss is at a point where it's noticeable so it's not a secret. We had two parties in the last week or so, no one commented on what I ate or didn't put on my plate. No one uttered that word either. People probably care way less than you think they do.

    Have a great time with your trips. And food. :happy:

Categories