I Need Some Advice

If you know which restaurant, look at their menu before and pick something light. (Fish and steamed veggies, maybe) If they don't have anything light that you like, order a regular meal, but ask for a to-go box up front so you can put away half the food. If it isn't on your plate, you will be less likely to eat it. Ask for any sauces and dressings to be on the side (I use lime juice on my salads instead of dressing, makes it lighter and taste fresher).

Eating out is a normal part of living for most of us. It really isn't sensible to say you'll never eat out again... so the best thing to do is learn how to manage it within your goals. Even if you eat at maintenance today and get back to your deficit tomorrow, that's okay.

I'm in a similar situation with my Dad. He likes to go out for dinner when I visit him. My solution is to go out to dinner with him and accept the excess calories on those days. Also while I'm staying at his house, he lives a few hundred miles away from me, I push myself more during my runs to help make up for the extra calories. His body is on a slow decline, he's 88 years old, and I'm going to enjoy the memories of hanging out with him far more than I'm going to regret the relatively minor hiccup in my weight loss goal. I still gain a few pounds during my visits, although most of that is probably just water retention due to a higher sodium intake. Personally I view it as a small price to pay for spending time with my Dad.

Get the half-pound sirloin (423 cal), sirloin tips (450 cal), or sirloin and shrimp (374 cal). Veggies from the salad bar (100 cal). You'll be fine.

It sounds to me like maybe you got some bad responses to your last post. If you your weight suddenly shot up in one week after eating in restaurants it's far more likely to be because of water retention than because you were overeating, though admittedly it is very easy to overeat at a restaurant.

Just look for lower calorie options on the menu - grilled meat over breaded and fried, lean meats over fatty cuts, light dressing on the side for salads rather than too much creamy dressing added in the kitchen, steamed or grilled vegetables as sides instead of fries or vegetables covered in cheese or cream. Just order wisely and you can enjoy eating in restaurants and still lose weight. But you will likely consume more sodium than usual and that may cause water retention and temporary gain in weight.

I've never been to Ponderosa...if that's Ponderosa Steakhouse, they have their nutrition information online which is very helpful. Is it a buffet?

It looks like they have plenty of lower calorie options, but I would guess they serve larger portions than their nutrition info gives calories for. For example, you could order the herb baked chicken or fish, but just estimate 3 oz of that chicken or eat 1 smaller piece of the fish even if they give you more. Or the grilled chicken breast that is 180 calories probably means you can eat about 3-4 oz of it, not the whole breast.

Keep in mind the size of a deck of cards is about the size 4 ounces of raw meat will look like once you cook it. So you'd want your portion to be about 3/4 to 1 deck of cards full at this restaurant. Go crazy on lettuce or other fresh vegetables. Get any dressings on the side and eat only a tiny bit. At 1200 calories a day, I'd probably skip the starches, but a couple tablespoons of baked potato or 1/4 cup of rice are probably pretty easy to eyeball if you want it.

Oooooo also only eat half and take the rest home to weigh and log.

7 lbs *is* a lot but do the math. No way you ate 24,500 calories OVER maintenance. And if you did, kudos!

There is definitely a lot of good advise here OP. The issue with setting a strict rule, like not eating out at all, is that at some point that will not be an option for you. If you adhere to such a strict rule, then end up breaking it, you are more likely to become upset and possibly give up on weight loss.

So, what you have to figure out is what to go for on the menu. Pick something with a good protein source (chicken breast, sirloin cut steak, or fish) with veggies. I would also choose to drink water or unsweetened iced tea.

Another issue with eating out is the sodium, especially since your kidneys do not function well already. Just a guess, but that seems like a double whammy to you when you intake too much sodium and can cause the water weight.. I know you mention being used to water retention and gaining 2-3 pounds. I personally gain 5+ when I eat out. It's very strange (and annoying!).

Lastly, weight loss is not linear. You've been losing at a pretty steady rate, so it's very possible that your body is ready to slow down.. It may even need a break. Just focus on each day as it comes and goes. If you have a rough day, its OK! Heck, I've had rough weeks. You just have to remind yourself that this isn't just about losing the weight. It's about your health overall.

Keep up with the good changes! You'll see the results. Be patient with yourself.

Most restaurants offer a lighter menu showing the calories. Opt out of creamy dressings and dips. Drink water with lemon juice rather than soda or cocktails. If they don't list calories go for a grilled chicken sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes only (no mayo) and don't get the bread toasted ... they usually toast with butter. Opt for seasonal veggies or a plain baked potatoe, you can add steak sauce to the Potatoe for some yummy low calorie flavor.