Staying in control when eating out

[bakersdozen]

I have been reading your posts here and how is it possible for people to eat out and still be in control of what you are eating? Is it that you have been in this diet longer than 4 weeks?

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

I suspect it will become easier for you as time goes on, but I personally think it's down to mind over matter.

You can approach it in different ways:

1) Total negativity = "Oh I'm going out for a meal, what's the point of counting calories now, cos I'm gonna blow the diet anyway when I have the sticky toffee pudding and custard and that's the whole week ruined now and I'll never be able to stick to this plan etc, etc,"

2) Total denial = I'm not going out for a meal and if I do, I'll just watch you eat while I sit and sip my water.

3) Total acceptance = If I'm going out for a meal this weekend, I can go a bit canny during the week and save up a few calories. I can choose something that's not as high in calories, eg a jacket potato instead of chips and I don't have to eat the whole thing, just listen to my body and stop when I've had enough.

Where do you sit bakersdozen?

[bakersdozen in reply to moreless]

I now know the secret! Thanks for clarifying things!

I don't eat but when I go to family I just eat and eat but I am now determined to listen to my body and only eat what is permitted cause what is the point of suffering and being miserable!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to bakersdozen]

Exactly! Now you know the secret, visiting and eating with the family will be all enjoyment and not spoiled with the bingeing and guilt that follows

[bakersdozen in reply to moreless]

I am asking for future as in 3 weeks I will probably be partying with family again and I want to have fun and still be in control over my foods.

Moorless you are amazing! Just making me feel good about what I have done with visiting family. Thanks!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone in reply to bakersdozen]

My pleasure, I'm very glad to have been able to help

[skinnylizzie in reply to bakersdozen]

Offer to help wash up do anything rather than eat, its the company that matters. yesterday I went to jamies with family not the best place for a diet but I got away with it with roast chicken and kale no wine but I feel that you can get in a mindset where you think, I don't really need this, I even gave my hubby half the chicken as I didn't want to go up today, herbal tea is good and sparkling mineral water. Its not worth ruining what you have achieved. good luck

[Bonni1]

I has my birthday dinner on Friday with friends

And I got up and left before dessert arrived

I'm so glad I did

[bakersdozen in reply to Bonni1]

Wow I am so impressed! I will just have to allow myself a little bit of cheating but not too much when it comes to partying for a whole week.

[ab24601]

I went for lunch yesterday with a friend after shopping as we were both staring. I ordered a vegan falfel ciabatta, it came with vegan colselsaw instea dof creamy coleslaw and I refused the option to add chips (which I usually would, and this palce does amazing chips!) It was perfectly filling though! I don;t need extra chips!

I was VERY tempted with dessert but I was going to the gym afterwards so it seemed pointless to put myself through the effort of gymming if I was just going to ruin my diet. Maybe you could plan a mini workout before/afterwards and then you won't wanna spoil it (and if you do at least you worked out lol)

[bakersdozen]

That is a great idea do a workout before or after eating. Thanks for reminding me.

[Emma-x-]

This is a difficult one because in a lot of places they don't have calories on the menu. I eat out a lot to be honest, I have a big family and friendship group and we don't really go out partying anymore so what better way to catch up over a meal?

So some of my tips would be yes try the healthy options. If your ordering a salad, ask for the dressing on the side as these can often contain a lot of calories and at least if it's on the side you can control how much you add on.

Stay away from alcohol (I just stick to Diet Coke). Or stick to alcohol that's lower in calories.

I tend to stay away from chips but if I really do fancy them I will just steal a couple of my friends lol.

I always order boiled rice instead of fried, and stay away from any curries that are coconut based. (Very tasty but full of calories)

Very rarely I will eat desert because I don't have a sweet tooth as such, but if I fancy something sweet I wil share one and just had a couple of bites.

I always try and fill up with plenty of veggies also.

I hope this has been some help to you 😄

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If you are worried about eating too much while you ate out somewhere. Eat a bowl of soup before you go. Then you won't feel the need to eat as much because you will have something in your tummy.