Breaking the breakfast cycle

I used to do this... back when I was a student with no dinner budget or a summer intern working in a city where I hardly knew anyone. At the time, I had no one to go to dinner with so I could easily eat a small salad for dinner and call it a day.

But now I go out for dinner several nights per week, and I find it very impractical to front-load my meals. I haven't mastered the art of ordering very little while my dinner companion is eating a full meal. So, I struggle through the day on less than 1,000 calories so that I can eat a 3-course dinner without gaining weight.

I know it's not conducive to weight loss. But I love going out to dinner with my boyfriend. I just try not to eat too much before dinner on those nights so that it evens out. And no, I haven't been losing weight since we adopted this schedule of several dinners out per week. It's a little frustrating.

I think I'm beginning to understand what it's like for you married MFPers! I'd gotten used to living on my own and eating frozen dinners every night. Then Mr. Wine-and-Dine came along, and don't get me wrong, he's wonderful but fattening! Just like the dinners we have together!

OMG!! I can't even tell you how much that is like my boyfriend!!! 3 years ago (when I was single) I lost 30 lbs and was finally feeling good about myself. Then HE came along!! LOL! We went out all the time (and still do occasionally). So now that I have gained just about (if not) all of it back, I feel like crap, but of course he is perfectly comfortable with himself. So now I have the daunting task of making 2 separate dinners!! He doesn't like anything with veggies or fish so if it's not beef or chicken with potatoes, he's not eating it!!

I do sometimes (if I know we're going out ) "save" my calories for dinner. I still fill myself up with a bunch of fruits and veggies so that I'm not starving all day, but I have to agree with you yellow_pepper, I enjoy going out so I do what I can so that I can not feel guilty about it. I do try and make healthier choices than I used to (which sucks when he's sitting there eating pizza and chicken wings!) so I am definitely improving!! And as a matter of fact, getting used to it. To be quite honest, my belly doesn't care too much for that kind of food anymore. The grease gives me a gut-ache!!

I think the idea is great, but the only way it would work for me is to make dinner (eat breakfast) at night and then put a portion in the fridge for me to heat in the morning. Then I would always be eating last nights leftovers!:laugh: I actually saw a special on one of the Health programs about a lady who did this and lost a significant amount of weight.

As for eating out, if I go out to eat (rare these days) I always ask for a to go box immediately with my meal so when they bring out my meal I put 1/2 away for another meal. They always serve double if not triple portions these days. That way I don't try to finish and clear my plate and then feel completely miserable later and I have a 2nd meal for another time.

Don't know if anyone else does that, but it really works for me...out of sight (plate) out of mind!:laugh:

Good Luck, hope it works for you also!:flowerforyou: