interesting experience eating out

[Guest guest]

I don't believe overeating in restaurants is fun! Especially after

being OP for awhile. Every time I do go out and overeat I feel awful.

I have begun to really enjoy eating out, but not necessarily eating

everything on my plate. I can go home after and feel fine, where

everyone else wants the couch or the bathroom. I really don't miss that

overful feeling! I find I am just as satisfied by eating a little bit

of everything, sharing with others, taking some home or just leaving the

rest of my food at the restaurant. The quote " To waste or to waist "

comes to mind.

240.5/170/165

joanne wrote:

> Maybe restaurants are just not going to be comfortable for me

> anymore because, let's face it, it's more fun when you can overeat and

> have

> items you don't get at home. But it lost its allure, and I just

> wondered if

> anyone else has dealt with this.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I knew ahead of time that we would be making a trek to Bob , because my

daughter had her artwork displayed there instead of displaying it in the

mall like last year. And of course everyone wanted to eat while there, and

this was my first restaurant trip (with exception of Subway) that I had

since doing points. I did my homework and knew I could have soup and a

fruit plate or fruit cup for under 10 points, so those points were budgeted

in and I stuck to my resolve. I should be feeling proud that I stuck with

what I said I'd do, and that feeling of relief is definitely in there. I

guess it's better to try this before my vacation, when we'll go out a lot,

and to know I can stay within points. But I had some more feelings that

came up--very uneasy ones. First, some people in the group were trying to

tempt me by telling me how great their steaks were and by reading the

dessert menu and repeatedly mentioning certain items that I used to eat. I

honestly didn't crave those items because I'm preferring the healthier

things now, but I felt kind of weird and like people were watching and

judging me because I didn't eat much and they did. Some of the group are

also doing WW points but walked right in with the attitude that they didn't

care and if they gained this week so what. So I didn't even have an ally in

one of these people, because they just didn't care. Has anyone experienced

these mixed feelings, especially when beginning to eat out after starting

program? I guess if I'd had a strong craving I may have had a little

something off points, but I didn't and I think others don't understand my

strong need to stick to it. I would like to lose 3 more before my trip and

that probably won't happen, but it's not going to be sabotaged by something

I might do. Maybe restaurants are just not going to be comfortable for me

anymore because, let's face it, it's more fun when you can overeat and have

items you don't get at home. But it lost its allure, and I just wondered if

anyone else has dealt with this.

[Guest guest]

I guess if I'd had a strong craving I may have had a little

> something off points, but I didn't and I think others don't

understand my

> strong need to stick to it. I would like to lose 3 more before my

trip and

> that probably won't happen, but it's not going to be sabotaged by

something

> I might do. Maybe restaurants are just not going to be comfortable

for me

> anymore because, let's face it, it's more fun when you can overeat

and have

> items you don't get at home. But it lost its allure, and I just

wondered if

> anyone else has dealt with this.

We eat out A LOT (like 3-4 times per week). I love eating out and we

often eat at places with high fat foods (Mexican, steak, barbecue).

However, I have made this work and stayed on plan while still

enjoying many of my favorites. I 1st decide if this is really a

celebration type meal (don't have those but every 3-4 weeks for

whatever reason) or if we are just eating out instead of at home.

There is one rule I abide by no matter what I am eating when I eat

out. NEVER eat more than half of your food. The portion sizes are

so much larger than those in your WW books that you'd be going WAY

over points, even with a salad in many restaurants. Think of

enjoying the experience, not stuffing yourself. If you've been on

program a while, you've probably learned the difference between

stuffing and eating and being satisfied.

Usually 1-2 times a week I'll eat a favorite salad. I physically

divide the salad either on the plate or in the bowl. I get the

dressing on the side and I only put 1 TBSP of dressing (because I

like the real stuff, not fat free) on the half that I intend on

eating. I stir it around on my plate until the dressing is spread

out. I eat only this half and take home the rest for the next day

(with to go dressing). No matter what I order, I divide it in half,

physically on my plate and only eat one half.

I have had barbecue chicken, baked beans, and corn on the cob,

chicken nachos and chips and salsa, steak (remember only 1/2 and I

order an 8-10 oz.) and mashed potatoes (no gravy). I can eat all

these things and stay OP. I plan ahead and eat a 2-3 point breakfast

and a 4-5 point lunch. This way, I have enough points to have what I

want, not feel deprived, and usually even have a margarita as well.

Sometimes I eat the leftovers the next day and sometimes my hubby or

one of the kids does. With proper planning, you can eat anything you

want on this diet. YOu just can't have massive quantities, but you

don't need them. That's why I love the WW plan.

[Guest guest]

I too have been subjected to public eating and restaurant and " friends " who like

to subtly sabotage. But be proud you stood your ground and did what you needed

to do for YOU!! When those numbers on the scale go down...it is all worth it.

WHen I get around people who know I am trying to follow a program and they

still try to tempt me I either tell them I am allergic or that I know it is

delicious but since it does not fit into my lifestyle anymore I know they would

rather encourage me as a good friend should and refrain from trying to tempt me.

If they are my real friends they have no problem with it.

I do get the resentment of not being able to " let loose " , but I know that is a

temporary fix and when the other WW people get on the scale THEN they WILL

regret that binge....sometimes people tend to think " it's okay for them so it's

okay for me too. " NOT SO in my case!!!

Just be grateful to God for giving you the resolve to do the right thing and

continue to let Him work in your life....Gretch in MS 218.4/217.4/145

[Guest guest]

Joanne,

You have several issues mixed together here:

-Unsupportive people who are trying to tempt you

-Staying OP while eating out

-The allure (or not) of restaurants when you're trying to eat

healthy

- others who are doing WW, but really aren't committed

I'll throw by 2 cents in here on each of these:

- Unsupportive people don't really bother me too much. I kind of

take the attitude

that " I'll have the last laugh " . If I'm comfortable with what I'm doing

and how I'm feeling, I

focus on that ---- generally, I believe there's either jealousy or just

a lack of thought - either

way, I'm OK with re-asserting that " I don't want that " or " go ahead -

you enjoy " . I remember

years ago, when I was trying to lose weight, my boss, who was also

overweight, made it

a point of bringing in a big bag of potato chips and dropping on my desk

several times

a week - that was frustrating.

- I eat out quite often, because I travel on business and I go

out with customers. It's

all in the planning. I, like you did, try to get a feel for where I'm

going, look up menus ahead

of time and plan my points. I try to leave a buffer of a couple of

points in case I have something

unplanned. I use my bank from days that I haven't eaten out. ....

however, its' part of life .... it's

definitely more work then just " going to the restaurant " , but in the

long run, you need to be

able to integrate restaurant eating into your life and stay OP.

- I agree that the allure of restaurants is diminished. It's

easier to find a healthy, delicious

OP meal at home then at most restaurants. When I go to restaurants this

day, I try not to make

the food the allure - instead I focus on the company or the business

deal or the social aspects of

the eating out (being with my wife, my kids, friends, ....).

- This is a pet peeve of mine and maybe I'm too strident about this

- you're either OP or you're

not. You're not OP sometimes or " when you feel like it " - you can't just

stop counting points when

you go out to eat and claim to be following WW or be OP. You can work

restaurant eating into

your program. You can even be out of your point range - as long as you

do this conciously and

do something to compensate - bank some points, some extra exercise. You

can't however, just

say " I'll gain weight this week, I don't care " and still be OP - what

about next week at the next

event? or the week after that?

Best,

Mitch

joanne wrote:

> I knew ahead of time that we would be making a trek to Bob ,

> because my

> daughter had her artwork displayed there instead of displaying it in the

> mall like last year. And of course everyone wanted to eat while

> there, and

> this was my first restaurant trip (with exception of Subway) that I had

> since doing points. I did my homework and knew I could have soup and a

> fruit plate or fruit cup for under 10 points, so those points were

> budgeted

> in and I stuck to my resolve. I should be feeling proud that I stuck with

> what I said I'd do, and that feeling of relief is definitely in there. I

> guess it's better to try this before my vacation, when we'll go out a lot,

> and to know I can stay within points. But I had some more feelings that

> came up--very uneasy ones. First, some people in the group were trying to

> tempt me by telling me how great their steaks were and by reading the

> dessert menu and repeatedly mentioning certain items that I used to

> eat. I

> honestly didn't crave those items because I'm preferring the healthier

> things now, but I felt kind of weird and like people were watching and

> judging me because I didn't eat much and they did. Some of the group are

> also doing WW points but walked right in with the attitude that they

> didn't

> care and if they gained this week so what. So I didn't even have an

> ally in

> one of these people, because they just didn't care. Has anyone

> experienced

> these mixed feelings, especially when beginning to eat out after starting

> program? I guess if I'd had a strong craving I may have had a little

> something off points, but I didn't and I think others don't understand my

> strong need to stick to it. I would like to lose 3 more before my

> trip and

> that probably won't happen, but it's not going to be sabotaged by

> something

> I might do. Maybe restaurants are just not going to be comfortable for me

> anymore because, let's face it, it's more fun when you can overeat and

> have

> items you don't get at home. But it lost its allure, and I just

> wondered if

> anyone else has dealt with this.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

To waste or to waist- I love that. Anyway isn't it kinda nice to take

part of your dinner home with you and eat it the next day.

-- In Serious-Weight-Watchers , Boucher

<jennifer.boucher@s...> wrote:

> I don't believe overeating in restaurants is fun! Especially after

> being OP for awhile. Every time I do go out and overeat I feel

awful.

> I have begun to really enjoy eating out, but not necessarily

eating

> everything on my plate. I can go home after and feel fine, where

> everyone else wants the couch or the bathroom. I really don't miss

that

> overful feeling! I find I am just as satisfied by eating a little

bit

> of everything, sharing with others, taking some home or just

leaving the

> rest of my food at the restaurant. The quote " To waste or to

waist "

> comes to mind.

>

>

> 240.5/170/165

>

> joanne wrote:

>

> > Maybe restaurants are just not going to be comfortable for me

> > anymore because, let's face it, it's more fun when you can

overeat and

> > have

> > items you don't get at home. But it lost its allure, and I just

> > wondered if

> > anyone else has dealt with this.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Joanne

You did what was right for you.

You know how it says " Results not typical " in those weight loss stories?

Well they aren't...why? Because people don't have the resolve you have.

They do what your friends did. " Oh it doesn't matter if I gain this

week. " " Just this one meal! " " But I was stressed because XYZ happened. "

" Oh, just a little bite! " " The cookies called my name! "

In other words, every single excuse in the book to keep from actually

committing to good health.

I think what I learned early on was that I was in this alone. Yes, my

husband did it with me, and he's lost weight, but he's not to goal and

as long as he enjoys his food slathered with cheese, he won't be. That's

okay though. That's his journey. My journey was my own. I did it for me.

Not for him (although I want him to reap the benefits of having a self

confident, attractive wife), nor for my friends, nor my family.

You did what you did tonight for you. Next time simply reply " You know,

no one has chosen my food for me since I was in grade school. I think I

can handle this myself. THANKS! " Say it with a grin on your face, and a

twinkle in your eye. They'll get it.

And in six months when they're ogling at your weight loss they'll wonder

why it didn't work for them...but you and I know the truth.

[Guest guest]

Joanne, eating out scares me anymore. Even when I know I am going out to

eat I put so much pressure on myself because I know I do not have that much

control when it comes to making good choices off a menu. At one of my

meetings there was an older woman who is retired and so is her husband.

They eat out almost everynight for dinner, yet she has managed to make

lifetime (losing like 50lbs) I don't think I could ever do that. I know I

am going out to lunch with my mom tomorrow and out to lunch with friends on

Friday, then on top of it I am going to my in-laws this weekend and that

always seems like a food fest to me. Though I know if I told them that I

joined WW they would be totally supportive of me, but still it is easier to

just do what everyone else is doing. Wish me luck this weekend, I am

already planning as to what I am gonna do - have the competition will help

alot knowing I will need to face my team.

Team Cyber Slims

Wk 1 Pts: 7

214/214/193 (10%)

Goal - By September 3rd

Reward - SportPedicure

>

>Reply-To: Serious-Weight-Watchers

>To: <Serious-Weight-Watchers >

>Subject: interesting experience eating out

>Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 12:36:59 -0400

>

_________________________________________________________________

Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online

http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

[Guest guest]

,

You can do what everyone else is doing and stay on program.

The only thing you CAN'T do (that some people may be doing) is

eat too much.

Ideas to help you do so:

• Bring your WW materials with you. If you're ashamed,

embarrassed, or not strong enough to tell people to not bother

you about it, look at the materials in the bathroom where no one

can see you.

• Know the restaurant BEFORE you go out; go to Dotti's site and

figure out what you can fit into your plan for the day

• Practice saying, " Oh my goodness you are such a good cook! I

couldn't eat another thing! "

• Sit by the skinniest, over-40 woman at the table. Order what she

orders; eat at her speed. If she's made it past her 40s without

extra weight, she probably is careful about what she eats. (Aside:

I figured this out after people watching and seeing what people

ordered. For example, at Starbuck's, the skinny adult women

always ordered black coffee of a nonfat latte. The heavier always

ordered coffee with room for cream or a mocha. This tip is not

scientific of course.

• Offer to split a dessert with 3 people. (Yes, 3. Example: creme

brulee, small: 15 points!)

• Practice saying, " I want to be there when my children graduate. "

• Practice saying, " You know, heart disease [or diabetes or

breast cancer or whatever..fill in the blank] runs in my family, and

I have children to care for. I love them too much to overeat. "

• Get up at 5 AM. Earn 4 APs before you even start the day to help

you have a cushion.

• Plan your breakfasts, lunches and snacks very carefully so you

have more cushion room at dinner

• Veggies. Celery sticks. Carrots. Broccoli. Practice saying, " Oh,

please steam my veggies without butter! " Can't stand it? Bring

some butter buds to sprinkle on.

• Practice saying, " I eat right because I'm worth it. "

If you don't think you can be OP, you're right. And if you know you

WILL BE OP, you're right. You make the choice. You have the

tools. Do the prep work and succeed!

Lynne

Lapsed Lifer, Recommitted 1-22-03

217/173/159/145?

Start/Current/WW Goal/Personal Goal?

> Joanne, eating out scares me anymore. Even when I know I

am going out to

> eat I put so much pressure on myself because I know I do not

have that much

> control when it comes to making good choices off a menu. At

one of my

> meetings there was an older woman who is retired and so is

her husband.

> They eat out almost everynight for dinner, yet she has

managed to make

> lifetime (losing like 50lbs) I don't think I could ever do that. I

know I

> am going out to lunch with my mom tomorrow and out to lunch

with friends on

> Friday, then on top of it I am going to my in-laws this weekend

and that

> always seems like a food fest to me. Though I know if I told

them that I

> joined WW they would be totally supportive of me, but still it is

easier to

> just do what everyone else is doing. Wish me luck this

weekend, I am

> already planning as to what I am gonna do - have the

competition will help

> alot knowing I will need to face my team.

>

>

>

>

> Team Cyber Slims

> Wk 1 Pts: 7

> 214/214/193 (10%)

> Goal - By September 3rd

> Reward - SportPedicure

>

>

>

>

>

> >From: " joanne " <houseofmusic@d...>

> >Reply-To: Serious-Weight-Watchers

> >To: <Serious-Weight-Watchers >

> >Subject: interesting experience

eating out

> >Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 12:36:59 -0400

> >

>

>

__________________________________________________

_______________

> Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online

> http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I put so much pressure on myself because I know I do not have that

much

> control when it comes to making good choices off a menu. At one of

my

> meetings there was an older woman who is retired and so is her

husband.

> They eat out almost everynight for dinner, yet she has managed to

make

> lifetime (losing like 50lbs)

You can do it !

Planning is the most important thing. Know ahead of time what you

will probably eat. I plan on taking at least half home. Separate it

physically on your plate if you need to. I actually divide my food

up befoe I eat it, so I know what half looks like. Heck, you could

even ask for a go box before you start eating if you needed to. I'm

pretty sure I wouldn't be above doing that if I needed to. I know

that I couldn't give up eating out (for one thing, I HATE to cook!),

so I had to figure out how to do it and stay on plan. I even manage

to have a margarita or glass of wine with dinner, several times a

week.

I may take some getting used to, but you CAN do it. One of my

daughter's gymnastics coaches makes them do push ups if they say the

word can't. You can, you just haven't learned how yet!

[Guest guest]

The best piece of advice I've learned is to ORDER FIRST! I am amazed at how

many people comment on what I've ordered and then changed THEIR mind. If it

is a salad, get the dressing on the side, etc. If you order an entree, ask

for a " to go " container to be delivered with the food. I personally have to

have the to go container right away or else I will nibble at the other half

while talking, not even realizing I've done this.

I do understand how eating out seems kind of like a holiday to eat, mainly

because most of us don't go out unless it is something to celebrate. The

older couple you mentioned eat out almost all of the time, so they've become

familiar with that style of eating - I bet it isn't nearly as " special " as a

date or other celebration.

When I used to work down in central MN, a bunch of us " girls " would eat out

several times a week for lunch. BUT... we didn't overeat because after

awhile, it was just lunch to us. (Does that make sense?) We were able to

order the fish to be grilled without butter. Hold the mayo on the buffalo

burger. " Oh, and can I swap the fries for a dinner salad with fat free

ranch dressing on the side? " Typically there was someone who didn't care

what they ate... and they would gladly let you have ONE French fry.

Re: interesting experience eating out

I put so much pressure on myself because I know I do not have that

much

> control when it comes to making good choices off a menu. At one of

my

> meetings there was an older woman who is retired and so is her

husband.

> They eat out almost everynight for dinner, yet she has managed to

make

> lifetime (losing like 50lbs)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lynne, the thing that bothers me the most is that I know all these

things, I know all the " tricks & tips " of the weightloss trade, yet I

continue to allow myself to eat what everyone else is eating. I do notice

lately that I have been able to say " no " a little easier then before, so

maybe something clicked in my head - or I am allowing it to click in my

head. Everyday is baby steps for me.

Team Cyber Slims

Wk 1 Pts: 6

214/211/193 (10%)

18lbs to go to goal!!!

Goal - By September 3rd

Reward - SportPedicure

>

>Reply-To: Serious-Weight-Watchers

>To: Serious-Weight-Watchers

>Subject: Re: interesting experience eating out

>Date: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 14:47:08 -0000

>

_________________________________________________________________

The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*

http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail

[Guest guest]

The leader at our meeting last week said that she goes into restaurants and

orders " five french fries " . Really. I guess there's no law saying that you

can't, but it never would have occurred to me!

People started swapping tips about which restaurants in town would let you

order half a sandwich.

Another tip is that you can ask, if something comes with fries or potato,

to substitute two vegetables instead (if they are without butter!)

Me, I do the cut-in-half thing but I feel like I don't dare walk in the

door at the CHinese buffet right now! I don't want to test myself.

The biggest temptation for me right now is goodies at work. I am doing OK

passing up the huge stuff (giant muffins, cake) but I have succumbed

several times to one-point candies and tiny cookies, and then another and

another....and it's so hard to remember to write that all down!

At 11:00 AM 6/4/2003 -0500, Sandberg wrote:

>Typically there was someone who didn't care

>what they ate... and they would gladly let you have ONE French fry.