911!!! Have a Last Minute Dinner Date Tonight!

Try a plain garden salad, no cheese - and stick to vinegar & oil as a dressing - don't clean your plate, you may need to leave some grilled chicken on the plate if it is more than 4-6oz (that's about half the size of a chicken breast)
I think restaurants tend to give more meat than we need

Water...drink a couple of glasses during the meal. Eat slow and enjoy the food & the company. No need to clean the plate...look for veggies on the menu & stear clear of bread ( even if it's yummy).

This is only day two of my journey to a healthier slimmer me and BOOM!!....Meeting a friend tonight at 7:30 at a cajun restaurant, Boudreaux's. I have to be strong...I can do without the fries..but need guidance... I still have 519 calories to spare for the evening since I'm not making my own dinner....but I don't want to blow it on my second day.

Will I sound psycho if i keep telling myself "Be strong B!tch!" while on this date... Please advise how to handle this situation because now-a-days restaurant salads seem to have 1000 frickin calories easily!

What to do? What to do???!!!

HELP!!!

On a date you will blow it if you don't just eat and have a good time. If you go on about some silly diet tonight, forget having him ever call you again.
Let today be your weekly "free day" - HAVE FUN!

And tomorrow, buckle down, and no more dates until next week unless the date is meeting at the gym for a workout and a smoothie afterward.

You can make smart choices off of the menu.
Go for lean meat and fresh veggies. In the evening it is better to order double veggies instead of a side of potatoes or rice. even fruit is sugar so consider that. Stay away from the bread and butter and dont order alcohol or soda. order a side salad with low fat vinagrette on the side. only use two tablespoons worth and no crutons. iced tea or iced water is always best.
Pick a meal off the menu and then plug it into MFP.
I went to a place called Ghengis Grill. I thought i made good choices. A bowl with steak, chicken, veggies, sauces and brown rice..
it added up to 800 calories!! double what i should have had for lunch. Its all about smart choices.

Walk to the restaurant. That should buy you some more cals.

Knowing what you are going to choose ahead of time and how many CALORIES you are putting in your mouth will help, and yes, order water. Add some lemon to make it special maybe? Good luck!

I'd have something grilled (shrimp sounds good, fish if you like it, they have chicken too), broccoli or green beans, and yep, fries - just eat half the order. Should end up around 500, and if it's a little over, you should be able to burn it off.

A few of their menu items are in the database. Look at those before you go. And look for their nutritional information online. If it's in the database, chances are it's also on the web somewhere (you might be able to find more options).

Naw! I ain't going out like that! It's only day two of my journey! If I was one or two months in..then i would be more open to a total cheat night...BUT NOT DAY TWO!!!

Appreciate your input but...NEXT!!

How does it matter if it's today or a week from today?

Oh well, you have fun...

Ok, so reading this has really made me mad. Cozy, enjoy yourself tonight. But do NOT give up on your goals. Choose healthy, and ordering a salad won't make you appear crazy. I commend you for wanting to stay on track, but enjoyment on a date can no longer be about what you consume food wise. And the first few weeks you change your life are the hardest. I went on a cruise 3 weeks after I decided to change my life and guess what, I LOST weight. No I didn't not eat, I just made healthier choices, fish, chicken, salads, veggies all were delicious and I enjoyed it because I knew I wasn't putting JUNK in my body that would hurt my progress.

I don't agree with anyone that has told you to just "get back on track tomorrow". This website is supposed to be about encourgement TOWARDS your goals not JUSTIFYING your actions. You will feel much better about the date if you make good choices and don't obsess over what is on your plate. With that said, order a grilled chicken salad with dressing on the side and no croutons. Order a lean steak or grilled fish with veggies.

If you are serious about the changes, don't look at this like a diet, diets fail, it has to be a change in the way you live. I manage my families restaurant and it's hard to make good choices but it's something I have to do. You will be proud of yourself for the choices you make now. Good Luck!

You will look like a freak if you order salad with nothing on it...

Damn, I guess I'm a freak. I order salad with nothing on it all the time, with some limes on the side for dressing.

Deep breath and remember to drink water with lemon in it. Try for a greek salad with shrimp and dressing on the side. Stay away from the bread and deserts. If going for an appetizer try for something not fried. Granted have no clue what they offer for dinners. If you do order a meal, ask for a to go bag and stick half of it in there before you start eating. Lunch for tomorrow!