Assigning Calories to "Eating Out" - how do you?

Fattack
Fattack Posts: 666 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Hey all

I'm going out with my friend for her birthday on Friday, and I'm a little unsure as to how to allocate my calories for this week - I may well go over my 1200 NET that day (as I won't have time to exercise before I see her). I will be making healthy eating choices, but as I've not seen her in nearly 6 months (she lives abroad and is visiting), the wine may be opened, taking me over my NET.

I'm not sure whether to exercise as normal this week, and eat 100calories less than normal (I usually eat back all my exercise calories) each day leading up to Friday, or to exercise an extra 100calories and *earn* those extra calories that way? I know it's still going to be 1100 NET either way upto Friday if I do either of these, but should I do more exercise because I'm eating out on Friday?

How do you guys do it?

Replies

  • EvelynForsyth
    EvelynForsyth Posts: 272 Member
    When i've been out before and had one meal which was 800 cal plus a starter which made my meal 1000 i was on 1500 cals a dayso it was a bit easier. I did a big workout - cardio plus toning the day before and on the eating out day and basically ate what i had planned (i checked on the website before howmany cals were in my meal) and tried not to worry. You put weight on if you eat like that every day and dont move around so just dont worry toomuch!
    enjoy your dinner! :smile:
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    I've just really been trying to make healthier choices while I am out to eat (with the exception of my recent vacation which was far from perfect eating). Grilled chicken is always a safe bet with lots of steamed veggies. If you're going to have a bit of wine, maybe try to limit your meals earlier in the day to 300 calories or less. Enjoy your night out! :smile:
  • beth40n2
    beth40n2 Posts: 233 Member
    Hey all

    I'm going out with my friend for her birthday on Friday, and I'm a little unsure as to how to allocate my calories for this week - I may well go over my 1200 NET that day (as I won't have time to exercise before I see her). I will be making healthy eating choices, but as I've not seen her in nearly 6 months (she lives abroad and is visiting), the wine may be opened, taking me over my NET.

    I'm not sure whether to exercise as normal this week, and eat 100calories less than normal (I usually eat back all my exercise calories) each day leading up to Friday, or to exercise an extra 100calories and *earn* those extra calories that way? I know it's still going to be 1100 NET either way upto Friday if I do either of these, but should I do more exercise because I'm eating out on Friday?

    How do you guys do it?

    I would do a little extra exercise each day and as you said eat about 100 calories each day. Then on the day you go out you could only eat a small amount for breakfast or lunch and leave most of your calories for the dinner out. Of course still try to make smart choices while out such as a salad with fat free dressing, ask for vegetables instead of potato and have a small portion of meat. If the wine comes out, great, you are prepared!
  • SongbirdLandy
    SongbirdLandy Posts: 188 Member
    Even if you go over your calories for one day, it shouldn't be a big deal. I always just eat light all day if I am planning on eating out that night. Then, I work out hard the next day to make sure to burn those unwanted calories. It's perfectly fine to relax every now and then and have something "bad". Sometimes it will actually make you lose more weight the next week because you've changed things up!
  • Fattack
    Fattack Posts: 666 Member
    Thanks for your input everybody. I think I'll definitely eat lighter on Friday with my other meals, I hadn't thought of that - thank you!
  • kasmir8199
    kasmir8199 Posts: 507 Member
    One of my trainers told me it's all about making better bad choices. :o)

    I usually chose items on the menu that are more health conscious. You'll be surprised of how many delicious meals are out there that are less than 800 cals! Fresh veggies, less dressing on your salads (best if you can get it on the side).

    If you don't want to limit yourself in such a way, then as mentioned by Foreverlyn, do a great cardio workout sometime in the day so that you have more calories to work with while deciding your meal(s). I usually do a cardio kickboxing class or some sort of hour long martial art practice that would yield anywhere from 600-900 calorie loss (not to mention, it's so much fun!).

    I ate out twice yesterday: breakfast at iHop with my parents for Mom's birthday and dinner with the family at Red Lobster. Was still under by calorie goal of 1340! I had the Balsamic Chicken Lunch at iHop and the Broiled Seafood Platter at Red Lobster.
  • carrie145
    carrie145 Posts: 297 Member
    I am actually going out tonight, so I ate a nice filling breakfast, then had a late morning snack , skipped lunch (which probably wasn't a good idea), drank plenty of water, and did an extra 30 minutes on my workout...so yeah, I think I earned what I will eat tonight!! LOL
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