I used to LOVE eating out, but now i HATE it.

so, tonight - im hanging out with an old high school friend and i havent seen her in like 2 years. so, we're talking, trying to figure out what to do - and she's like "well, let's just go to dinner"

WHY DO WE INSIST ON EATING TO CELEBRATE, EATING WHEN WE SEE OLD FRIENDS, EATING ALL THE FREAKIN TIME.

so, we're going to carabba's. i dont want to go. i hate eating out. what do i do??? eat lettuce??? i'm not trying to sound crazy ... but i've been working so hard, and i dont want carabba's to ruin my goals. argh.

go to their website and see if they offer nutritional info.  You can eat something healthy....or only eat a portion of what is served to you, etc.  It's fairly easy to eat out as long as you know how big a real serving is.

You should tell her how you feel about it, just be honest with her.
Explain things, maybe she will understand and then you can decide what you're going to do next.

I think we celebrate by eating out of habit.  It's just "normal" to people who don't think about what they eat. Not like US!  You can still go and have fun.  Order something light, I'm sure they have something you can eat.  Eat slowly and talk to your friend, and maybe take half of what you order home.  If you don't want it, throw it away when you get home.  That way, your lifestyle doesn't effect your time with your friend.  And it's not a "big deal" so, she won't be asking, why you aren't eating.

you could suggest a night in, and cook something together instead?  could be yummy....

order a salad if you go?  or eat half your meal, and box the rest up?  and order water to drink, or a diet pop with lime or something.

Amen...it always seems that when I plan on having something really healthy for dinner, I get home and my dad wants to go out somewhere.  Then I have to get the skimpiest thing on the menu and have my father pick on me for it.  Last week he did that.  We went to Applebees and since I had only al ittle wiggle room left, I got a grilled chicken sandwich off their weight watchers menu.  He proceeded to make fun of it.  He said "no wonder its so low calorie, theres nothing to it!"  He is of the impression that if he goes to a restaurant, he needs to eat so much food that he's ready to puke.  so he can get his "money's worth".  Its maddening.  I'd rather sit at home and have control of what I eat!!

thanks guys ... im not gonna cancel on her ... im gonna enjoy spending time with her without gorging. im just gonna think about how great it felt this morning when i saw numbers going down.

Oooh, you're preaching to the choir, sister! I hate that! Why does every celebration involve food?!?! Can we do nothing else besides eat?!

The other day, we get out of a concert late and my roommate's like, "We should go out for ice cream?" What the crap?! No!

And so many days I get home and she asks...you wanna get a pizza? Or we should go out for breakfast. Or...or...or...it never ends!

...

I mean, yes, I agree.

haha kirs! i hate it! and everyone complains why they're so fat! ahhhhhhhhhhh. i cant stand going to a restaurant and seeing ppl gorge and then all walk out and they're like "ugghhh i cant mooooveeee, im so fat" im like YEAH YOU'RE FAT. STOP EATING LIKE  A FREAKIN COW!!!

hehe, even though that totally used to be me!

I can understand the whole "hey, lets celebrate by going out!" because some people look at dining out as a special thing that they don't do often.  The problem is, people dine out like 3 times a week!  It's not special anymore, so why celebrate by doing it?  Weirdos, I tell ya.  I used to be one of those people too...if I ate something and I wasn't stuffed by it, I'd be upset and say it wasnt enough food.  I didn't realize then that the point of eating is to enjoy it and NOT be hungry anymore, not shovel it down until you're ready to barf.  Me stupid.

lol fine, omg! hahaha i was the same way. if i wasnt stuffed, i'd order dessert ... even if i had ate an appetizer, salad, and an ENTRY. it's so disgusting now that i look back! lol, ew

okay, I may be strange... but I do love going out to eat... but now I actually plan ahead, look at the menu and figure out what will keep me on track...

remember, when you're ordering ... do like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally... change the order to keep it in line with your plan...

good food is:  delicious, well-presented, colorful, fuels your body and soul... it is NOT: Large portions...

the latest craze around here is tapas restaurants:  small bites...

order off the appetizer menu...

I guess my biggest problem is that it stresses me out to go out to eat. I worry that my roommate's going to get an appetizer, that I'll see something on the menu that I haven't had in ages and will give up my plan to go for it...

I have a few restaurants that I feel safe with, so whenever my roommate wants to go out to eat, I always suggest those and if she says no...I don't go at all.

I am faced with this challenge a lot...since my family members LOVE to eat out.

Here us what I do....I usually eat a small & healthy snack before I go to the restaurant. that way I don't justify eating a whole plate of food because I feel hungry.

Last night my family wanted to go out to Olive Garden....a big no, no for me, since my body hangs on to carbs such as pasta & breads.

Instead of gorging my self with a hugh plate of pasta, I had a small salad, soup, one breadstick & plain water.  I was completely satisfied. It was so rewarding to know that while everyone had these huge plates of food I could actually exhibit some self control!

lol it's insane what those nutritional guides say. and i just tried looking up one for carabba's and they don't even have one!!! HOW SCARY IS THAT????

kirs just out of curiousity ... what are your safety restaurants??? :)

Most of them are local chains, just in Utah, Colorado, and maybe Arizona, but my favorite is Rumbi. It's an island restaurant, Polynesian food. They have a salad that I could eat every day of my life for about 500 calories and lots of protein. I have to make room for it, but it's SOOO good.

If I go to Chili's, I get the lettuce wraps because they are about 330 calories, without the dipping sauces (which have a ton of sodium so I use them VERY sparingly).

Another local chain, Cafe Rio. I can eat half a salad, be full for hours and eat the rest the next day. I just split it up before I even start eating.

I doubt that helps at all, but those keep me sane in a world of eating out like crazy! :)

I find Red Lobster to be a good choice, because now they have this "Light House" menu.  It is full of good choices, and there is FULL nutritional information available!

PLUS - when I go, I always leave enough calories in my day to have one delicious cheese bun!

mmm, gosh those cheese buns are SO freakin good! :)

thanks kirs - i love lettuce wraps too! yummy :) have you ever had the ones at PF Changs??? delicious! and low-cal :)

Ooh, yes. PF Chang's are the best!