in need of advice
 

I'm currently half way through my second week of a healthier version of me. I'm still having fun with the calorie counting and logging my foods....I'm one of the few who actually LOVE creating new foods in my custom food section. Luckily, I also love to cook, so eating healthy isn't that hard. I've just got to make sure I cook it myself instead of taking the lazy way out and getting take out. What amazes me is how many calories are actually in restaurant food. I went to the closest Subway while on lunch break a few days ago, and asked if they had any kind of take home pamplet on their nutrition, that way I could go ahead and create my sandwich in custom foods using the app on my phone. This particular store didn't have any while I was there, so I went to their website and did it that way. Seeing as how I had an hour to kill on lunch, and only being 10 minutes from my job, I googled and found a site that listed a bunch of national restaurants, with menus that had nutritional values. To say that I was shocked is an understatement! I seriously had no idea of the kind of food I was putting into my body!! Even when I tried to choose healthy at these places, I was still eating pretty close to my daily allowance of calories in ONE MEAL! I can't even look at fast food anymore without feeling a little bit queasy. That being said, I'm wondering how to find the balance, especially now around the holidays, of sticking to the lifestyle change I'm trying to make (I refuse to call it a "diet") and still enjoy the time with my friends and family. We're big on getting together at one restaurant or another and just hanging out and catching up. I know that I can't NOT eat out EVER, I was just wondering if y'all had any tips on how to enjoy nights out with friends and not feel sick at the thought of the caloric intake.

Great job on the weight loss so far! As for your inquiry, depending on what you like, you can always get a lean steak with a side dish other than fries/potato (a little starchy and needs extra flavouring). You can get a yummy salad with the dressing on the side; you'll end up using way less of it. Maybe you can pick a restaurant with a somewhat healthy menu, eg a place that serves whole wheat wraps. In the end, if you splurge 1 night and make up for it with exercise and/or cutting meals a little the next few days, you'll still keep losing weight. Calories in<calories out!

Ain't it the truth
 

If you get a chance pick up "eat this not that" it was a huge eye opener for me. The Cheesecake factory serves a shrimp pasta dish that has over 2000 calories :eek:. I can't figure out how in the world they could hide so many calories in an otherwise healthy dish.

I'm lucky to live in a state (CA) where restaurants have to post calories. It was a huge debate with lots of folks saying it was an economic expense with no payoff. I think they will be proven wrong. I am noticing even people who couldn't care less starting to point a the huge calories found in their favorite burgers. It will take a while, but I am betting that fast food joints will start to see a decline in sales of the highest calorie foods in favor of the moderately laden foods. And that's a good thing :)

Portion control, portion control, portion control. That being said, the Cheesecake Factory is out of the question for me. I can't look at 500 pieces of cheesecake and not eat some. Get this, their lowest calorie slice is 550 calories and it's called "Carb Smart". Doesn't seem that smart to me, but there you go. When we eat out I generally get a burger or grilled chicken sandwich minus the bun or if I want the bun I get a portabella mushroom cap. There is almost always a way to reduce the calories by asking for things to come without the cheese or sauce. You just have to be careful, and a little pre-planning goes a long way.

Thanks everyone! I actually went to dinner with my parents last night and did really really well. In fact, I even ended the day on a calorie deficit of more than I imagined I would. While I choose healthier than I would have 3 weeks ago, after eating I realized I could have ordered even healthier than I did. I ordered the light grilled chicken and found out that the only difference in this particular establishment's regular grilled chicken and the light was that the light wasn't grilled in butter. And I was thinking to myself, "who GRILLS in BUTTER???". After getting my food I realized that they used a heavy hand in seasoning and salt, and that's definitely not something I'm used to. Maybe next time I"ll ask for the light version minus all the spices they use. It was overall well prepared, so I don't understand the heavy dose of salt. I was a little disappointed that they only had one option for light or fat free salad dressings (maybe next time I'll sneak own favorite in!:p) I also only used a third of the sauce (on the side) that they give, so YAY ME! Thank you all for the encouragement!!!

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Thanks all for the advice.

It's fantastic to hear about your commitment to a healthier lifestyle and your enthusiasm for monitoring your food intake! Cooking your own meals certainly empowers you to make healthier choices. As for dining out with friends and family, it's all about balance. One approach could be to check restaurant menus online beforehand and identify healthier options. Opt for grilled or steamed dishes, and ask for dressings or sauces on the side. Sharing meals or ordering smaller portions is another way to manage calories while still enjoying the company. Additionally, you can focus on the social aspect of these gatherings rather than just the food. Engaging conversations and activities can take the spotlight off the calorie concerns. Remember, occasional indulgences are part of life too, so don't stress over it. Enjoy your journey to a healthier you!

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