I need ideas for not totally blowing it this weekend.

share a plate....and order appetizers...

make it fun.

For the Hibachi bar, maybe you could just have one piece of each item you want to try, instead of multiple pieces? That way you can try it all, without going too far overboard on the calories. If you go to Starbucks, you can ask them for a 'short' drink, it's the size smaller than a tall, but it's not on the menu. It might be different where you're going, but the one near to me knows what I mean when I order a short whatever. For the other places, might I suggest ordering off the appetizer or children's menu or possible getting a half order?

I had a similar issue this weekend that just passed! My darling partner decided to book a weekend away, which was lovely! However it also meant moving out of routine. We ate out for every meal and drank at every meal.

My basic instinct at the time was order fish where possible, low in calories and high in protein but still delicious! We were by the sea also so quite fitting. At the mexican place we only ordered 2 small entrees to share, normally we would go all out, I really had to reign it in. I thought I would regret not ordering one particular entree because it sounded so delicious, but I can tell you now (2 days later) I can't even remember what it was...no loss there! A main each of what we wanted and we shared the healthiest option for desert. With regards to the drinking I took to drinking only 1 or 2 glasses, again just had to reign in my appetite! I don't regret them one bit and I certainly don't miss the extra 2 or 4 glasses I didn't have.

I am at a loss with indian as it is my favourite cuisine, that is one I just can't not indulge in so good luck! My only other suggestion is walk around a lot if you can, all exercise is good exercise and when you are away it is sightseeing! Carry some nuts or protein bars in your bag for light snacking to try and stop indulging in other foods between the delicious restaurant meals you will be trying!

Eat the things you really want, skip the things you don't. Sounds simple but it's so easy to just devour things without thinking! For example, at Red Robin, if you just want to try that burger, skip the fries or just have a few of your husbands (set a number for "a few" so you don't keep going back for more- like, "I'm going to have 5 fries" and then stop). If you're dying for fries, I'd ditch of half the bun on the burger. Eat slowly and savor each bite, and split things. Don't feel like you have to finish everything. Taste everything on the plate, eat the things that are delicious and "worth it" and leave behind the stuff that isn't amazing (like rice- I almost never eat rice if it's on my plate...but pasta or really good mashed potatoes are hard to resist!). Eat until you're satisfied, not stuffed. If you're grabbing breakfast on the go, choose something high-protein and low-ish in carbs, rather than a bagel (the spinach feta wrap at starbucks is a good choice!) Have a fun vacation, don't stress too much, but pat yourself on the back for every healthy choice you make

You can totally do it in a low stress way I think. Last vacation I took I came back same weight as I left I was so thrilled! Cut your burger in half before you start eating it and only eat that half. Skip the fries and get another side, Red Robins fries are awesome so steal just one from Hubby At the Hibachi place skip the fried rice and stick with meat and veggies. With Indian decide which carb you are gonna eat: rice or Naan, don't have both. Walking around on vacation can be a lot, I did not have a problem getting at least 10,000 steps a day on my last one and if you can hit the elliptical for 30 minutes in the morning that will buy you some extra calories as well. Have fun!

Don't worry about counting calories or anything, just portion control. I would get a box right when my order arrives at my table so I can halve my meal before I even start eating. Put the box away. If you think you might reheat it as a midnight snack, throw it away before you even get back to the hotel.

Also, drink lots of water! A lot of "weight gain" over vacations is just water retention, from extra salty restaurant food and general dehydration of traveling. Again, don't worry about counting calories. You are going to have the most amazing time! Have fun!

Go on Raw food ONLY every weekend.

Doing portion control BEFORE you eat is key! If you're not going to eat an entire restaurant portion, box it up or put it on a plate for one of your tablemates. Enjoy your meal, but don't enjoy more of it than your calorie allotment allows. :bigsmile: