Can't seem to get focused on diet when out

Blew it big time last night. Everybody was having fried chicken and it smelled delicious so I had it to. I have to stop doing what others do, or I will never drop any weight. I knew it when I ordered I'd blown my day, so why did I do it?

I actually just read a magazine article the other day (maybe it was an e-article, besides the point). They were saying to avoid diet sabotage at restaurants, order first! Easy enough, right? If you hear "fried chicken and beer" obviously, you'll crave fried chicken and beer. If you order yours first, it's set in stone that you're eating healthy and your hands are wiped clean of temptation. Even better might be to tell everyone at the table that you're trying to eat light (if they don't already know), when I do that, I feel more embarrassed if I slip up than if I give in. Plus, I go home feeling better and proud of myself if I make better eating choices.

I was just saying in someone else's post how I have restaurant "homework" where I always study an online menu if I go somewhere. I write down on paper the healthy choices, how I'll make them healthier (no bun, no cheese, no dressing/dressing on side, etc) and that piece of paper becomes my menu. I don't even glance at the menu the waiter/waitress hands me, because if I did I may decide it's a night worth cheating (which I'll later regret). I think cheat days are less regretful when they're planned out rather than spur of the moment... if you decide then and there that you're going to cheat, it might just be a craving that you'll later regret.

Those are GREAT ideas, Katie. Thanks for sharing. I have plans to go on a dinner date with my husband tonight. I will make sure to do my "homework" and order first! Thanks again.

Somewhere on here there's a member who's signature quote is "Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels", and I've been using that as a mantra when I'm tempted.

As far as restaurants go, I work at a Red Robin (to which I end up eating there frequently due to being on shift). I've managed to find healthy alternatives. For example, one of our burgers without the fries is a whopping 1200 calories (tack on an extra 430 if you get the fries!). I tend to get a burger sub boca patty, sub broccoli or oranges for the fries, with no bun. The numbers drop to a more manageable 530.

And be wary of salads. I know guests come in all the time and feel great about ordering one of our salads, thinking they're doing better than their partner who ordered a sandwich. However, after the toppings and the dressing, you're really not that much better off.

PS - Not all restaurants offer nutritional facts in the store (I know for a fact we don't), but you can find it not only on the restaurant's website, but there are a good deal of sites now that list restaurant nutritional facts. Check before you go, decide before you leave the driveway and make no exceptions.

Good luck!

Great post, Katie. All good ideas.

Don't forget that even once you'd ordered the fried chicken, you can still minimize the damage but still get a little something for your tastebuds too: eat all of the meat but only a few little nibbles here & there of the skin (which is where all the damage is, right? ).

Point being, even after you've made the less healthy decision, you are still left with options. Try getting in the habit of thinking on your feet at every step: okay, I CAN make this better. Having the fried stuff in front of you doesn't leave you helpless to eat it with no further say in the matter!

You can do it, it just takes a little practice.