How do you stay below calories when eating out?

There are a lot of strategies:
eating before you go and not eating at the event
bringing your own food
at a restaurant, asking for special food----grilled chicken, steamed vegetables, salad w/o dressing,or cheese or croutons


if being healthy is your highest priority there are many strategies

Absolutely it's possible. And the awesome part is that it is completely in your control - just make the choices you want to make!

Yup, plan ahead. Exercise. Eat lightly before an event. And don't sweat it if you go over. Just jump back on track your next meal. I had two potlucks last week and still lost a pound and a half.

just make up for it over the next few days, or 'bank' calories in the days leading up to it.

if you go 100calories under everyday for 5 days, then you can safely go 1000 over and not have any issues.

dont forget there is a 500 deficit built in to your daily goal already (if you select 1lb per week) so on any given day you can go over by 500 and not gain anything. add that to the 500 banked and you are sweet to gorge.

I like 5:2 because all I have to do is fast after a wild celebration.

Try eating healthy before you go. And if you can fit in a morning workout, do it so that you have some wiggle room. And when you're there drink lots of water and remember to eat the food in moderation

How can you possibly stay within your calories when eating out, at a party, tailgaiting, vacation? is it even possible?

It's pretty much impossible tailgaiting.

I never drink my calories.
Try and have a broth based soup.
Divide up entrée at the start and have it boxed up.
Only have dessert if it's something that I love.

I look at menus online and pre-log around that meal. Or I go with easy stuff like grilled chx salads or burgers without cheese. I'm familiar with serving sizes and round off meat if at cookouts. I do IF, so may fast longer before and/or after if I'm gonna go all out.

Burn them off either before or the next day through strenuous exercise.

Yep just takes some planning..... Tomorrow night I will be going out for Pizza , Nachos, Beer and Ice cream for dessert... I zig zag calories this week in anticipation of this meal out so I saved some calories and tomorrow breakfast and lunch will be lighter than normal, I will hit the gym for cardio in the morning, so I can go out enjoy myself with my family and have no regrets.... Best of Luck

Can yu really save up calories and eat at the end of the week and still get results???

How can you possibly stay within your calories when eating out, at a party, tailgaiting, vacation? is it even possible?

For a lot of restaurants, if you're not eating something basic (e.g. grilled chicken or sirloin with a side of baked potato, a burger, etc), cutting the meal in half works well.

It's also hard because even when restaurants post calories they are often under-estimated. For example, the other day I had a chipotle burrito and I was able to tell from experience that the toppings they put on it were not the same portions as reported by the restaurant's website. Brings a 850 cal burrito up to 1150 easy.

Also, oatmeal for breakfast and lunch. 320 calories total (480 if made with 1% milk). For most people, that will leave over 1,000 calories for the big meal not including exercise. Also, keep in mind that your weight loss goal already has a 500ish calorie deficit built into it, so you won't eat enough to gain weight unless you have over 1500 calories in one meal (which is certainly doable with 20 wings, 1/4 cup blue cheese or ranch, and 4 beers coming in at 3000 calories).

Save extra calories for the meal or do a longer work out.

Pre-planning. I look at the menu on line before I eat there. If it looks like I'll be high on the calorie scale, I compensate with a lighter breakfast and lunch and/or I exercise more. But eating and trying new things is a joy in my life. I refuse to not enjoy myself at a restaurant venue by eating bland items I can prepare myself at home.