...as much? It seems like everywhere you look there are bad temptations that make your knees weak and mouth water. And the worse part for me is smelling the aromas that waft off my favorite foods, like bar-b-q and fresh baked cookies.

As a result, I've had to make sure I never leave home hungry lest I sabotage my healthy food choices. I make all my own dishes using minimal amounts of fat, refined carbs and sugar. It's time-consuming, but rewarding at the same time because it's grrreeaaattt to taste my own creations.

Do y'all feel like eating out at restaurants or food vendors is making your weight loss goal more difficult to achieve? And what are those foods that practically break your willpower to succeed? (Don't make it too enticing or else you might reignite a bad craving, hehe)

if you're on a diet - you're going to have issues with long term success...

A lifestyle change is the only thing that is effective long term - and into each lifestyle - cookies, and restaurants do fall.. So what.. enjoy them don't go crazy..

Use good judgement and common sense...

Definitely eat out less.

Used to go out with my girlfriend for a nice romantic meal every week or so, that's gone.

Used to get take-aways for dinner 3 or 4 nights a week, that's gone.

I do all my own cooking and I make sure to use the healthiest, least processed stuff I can, and I try to plan all my meals. If I am out and about and have to have something I try to make it a healthy Subway option.

Having said that, I don't believe that you should cut everything out either. I don't do those things now as often, but when I do eat out I try and do it sensibly while still enjoying myself.

The thing that nearly breaks my willpower is pizza, and well alcohol. To be honest though, even though I've cut down on how much I drink, I still drink. I try to work around it, but I refuse to cut it out entirely. It's a dealbreaker! The only problem is that it's usually when I'm hungover that I'll be bad, and when I'm bad it's usually the pizza that I'm craving!

Still, everyone cuts loose every once in a while. Any 'diet' that can't allow for that is a diet that won't last. I think the most important thing is to not be discouraged by these moments and just throw the whole healthy eating out the window. If you're bad then you were bad. Just move on and be good again!

My parents take me and my girls out to eat every Sunday for lunch. It never fails, rain or shine, we are going to go out to eat. There are always healthier options on the menu at most restaurants. Veggies instead of fries. Water or unsweetened tea instead of soda. Sometimes, we go to a Mexican place where "healthy" just isn't much of an option. Those days, I let loose and enjoy my meal. Due to my better eating habits, 1 off the wall meal doesn't set me back.

Also, I go to school full time and I work full time through the night. Eating out is a part of my life. There are smart ways of doing it. It's simply just finding what you want to achieve and finding out what works for that.

I don't eat out nearly as much, but when I do I make sure I'm making healthy choices. I have a 6" double turkey sub on whole wheat and a diet coke or water at subway instead of a big xtra with cheese combo supersized plus two bacon cheeseburgers on the side with a coke at McDonalds.

A lot of sit down restaurants that are chain-based really do not have a lot of very healthy choices, but some are starting to put a healthy choice section on their menus like East Side Marios. The nice thing with ESMs is that they actually put down the calories, fat, carbs and protein content of the healthy choice meals on their menu.

It's only as tough as you make it on yourself. Personally, I don't miss eating the bad things anymore, I just eat different. It's not worse food, it's actually better food that tastes cleaner, doesn't make me feel like shit when I'm done and is definitely fresher. A lot of people get it in their mind that healthier food means sacrificing taste, but that's not the case. I've found lots of new things that I like the taste of better than what I was eating before.

I think it definetly makes things harder, but if I have to eat out and I AM really trying to not mess up Ill frequent Subway, if Im at resturaunts Ill order off the salad menu or just split my meal in half so I dont eat the entire thing. It is hard though when you have a lot of friends, family, and significant others who love going out to eat and drinking :smash:

Drinking is the worst. I try to stick to light beer now since it has half the calories at about 100 per bottle (depending on brand), but boy is it hard when everyone's spending the night out and you want to have 4 or 6 beers.

I think the best thing i learned about eating out..

realize what you are eating, your mind is always bigger than your stomach, but no matter what don't say a hamburger is a sandwich, don't sugar coat the truth....

I did that a LOT before, now when i eat a burger, i enjoy the hell out of it 'cause i know its gonna be bad for me, lots of calories.. but since i have them so rarely, i devour and enjoy :-)

A LOT of my food is actually bought from cafes/restaurants.

50% of the time I will buy my lunch at work. That's usually Asian Type Noodle Soups, Sushi, Salad Rolls, Soups.

A few nights a week I will eat out, either at restaurants or takeaways. Nando's is a great option, everything is grilled and is very high protein and low fat. I used to have subway heaps but its really bland now. I eat a lot of thai and other asian food that is really good for you, containing heaps of vegetables in a non-creamy broth with broiled chicken or beef or pork.

Even if you go out to a fancy restaurant you can nearly ALWAYS get grilled lean meat with vegetables and salads. Broth based soups are great for appetisers, and sorbet is good for dessert

A LOT of my food is actually bought from cafes/restaurants.

50% of the time I will buy my lunch at work. That's usually Asian Type Noodle Soups, Sushi, Salad Rolls, Soups.

A few nights a week I will eat out, either at restaurants or takeaways. Nando's is a great option, everything is grilled and is very high protein and low fat. I used to have subway heaps but its really bland now. I eat a lot of thai and other asian food that is really good for you, containing heaps of vegetables in a non-creamy broth with broiled chicken or beef or pork.

Even if you go out to a fancy restaurant you can nearly ALWAYS get grilled lean meat with vegetables and salads. Broth based soups are great for appetisers, and sorbet is good for dessert

it seems you pay alot of your attention to your meals. I also love noodle soups and sushi, grilled lean meat and I always drink green tea during meals (hot or iced bottle)

Thailand foods are usually sour and hot, I think too much spices are not good.

I think too much spices are not good.
Spices add a lot of flavor- without a lot of calories... not to mention there's a lot of spices that have health benefits... Spices are good.. you just have to watch the creamy sauces or extra butter that some sauces have in them

The spicier the food, generally the less a person eats of them - because the heat slows down their eating (buffalo wings being an exception :D

I give myself one "worry free" day. Since I have made a life style change, it isn't a binge day either...it was at first, but it isn't anymore. If we go out to eat, my wife and i share an entree. I have to do something I can stick with, and restricting occasional trips to my favorite restaurants was not something I could maintain. Moderation.

It is tempting, but I remember how much effort will go into shedding it if I do too much of it. That said I don't deprive myself. One dealbreaker for me was coffee with half and half. I go to Tim Horton's every morning(just about) and get one with light cream and splenda.

I also try to look at this as a permanent eating change so when we do go to restaurants which we did a lot over the summer, I made wise choices and when there weren't any wise choices I moderate my intake. I drink so little that I also allow myself a beer when the occasion arises that I have the adult time to allow such things. Don't even think twice on it. I try and look at it as this should have been my approach to eating all along. Fast food should be no more tempting then dropping money I don't have on an expensive outfit. If I can find self control to curb impulse spending, I certainly can do the same when it comes to eating.

I eat out maybe more now that I have lost some weight...

Just not to the same places as before. Now, instead of the crappy pizza joint I used to eat at, I go to Uno's pizzeria because I know the calories in their menu. Or instead of Outback, I go to Ruby Tuesday's because of the same (plus the awesome salad bar).

Believe it or not, you can def still lose weight while on a calorie deficit.

you can def still lose weight while on a calorie deficit.Either I'm on drugs or this didn't come off the keyboard the way you meant.

Portion control and limiting carb intake is what I try to do when eating out. I do it at least 2 times a week. If you plan for it and limit calories during the day it really shouldn't be an issue. I also usually only eat half and eat the other half for lunch the next day.

I enjoy the Eat This Not That Sites and Books. Those are good for eating out.

Either I'm on drugs or this didn't come off the keyboard the way you meant.

Yes sir. You're right, it didn't. Sorry... too many thoughts at once, not enough words.

Ahem... you can def lose weight while eating out if you still maintain a caloric deficit.

Thanks JD.

Either I'm on drugs or this didn't come off the keyboard the way you meant.
He just got married and has a hot nekkid wife around him all the time.. he's - ummm - a little distracted :D

He just got married and has a hot nekkid wife around him all the time.. he's - ummm - a little distracted :D
Pics to prove it?

erm... nevermind. hehe

I thought I would put in my two cents about eating out. Stephen and I eat out as little as possible, but more because its expensive. But when we do go out we try to split meals both for cost reasons and because the portions are typically huge. When we do eat out I don't really worry about making a good choice (though its become natural for me to make good choices) I just enjoy whatever it is. Also, I have learned that making requests or asking questions about the menu is really helpful. For example, this morning we went to a local breakfast place where my best friend TJ happens to be a server. I wanted an omelet, but they are all 4 egg omelets... and thats just waaaay too much, plus its smothered in cheese, which I don't care for either. So I asked if I could have it made with only 2 eggs and easy on the cheese... and it came out perfect!! Not too much and not too little... I walked out feeling satisfied and not guilty!

So long story short, I agree with Mal... its a lifestyle change that is made not just being on a diet!

I do eat out sometimes, maybe 1-2 times a week; I've done some research on the menus at the restaurants I go to regularly and I have a mental list of healthy options to choose from. I was really shocked to see how high in fat and calories my "regular" choices were.

Eating out is usually not very healthy; even options that are low in fat and calories often have a ton of sodium in them. Unfortunately, eating out is extremely popular here in Dallas and it's how my friends prefer to socialize. I'd like to make some new friends with different (healthier) interests so I don't feel pressured to eat out so often, but it's not easy in a big city.

Basically you can stay on plan and eat out, you just have to be smart about what you choose. Also beware of what I call the "salad trap"; a lot of salads at popular chain restaurants are pretty high in fat and calories too.

He just got married and has a hot nekkid wife around him all the time.. he's - ummm - a little distracted :D

Yeah, lots of that, she wants a baby... badly.

Pics to prove it?

erm... nevermind. hehe

That's fine, but errr... I am in them in the same suit as her. If your into that :P heh.

Yeah, lots of that, she wants a baby... badly
well - you do know how to make babies don't ya :)

practice practice practice.. keep doing it to til ya geti t done... :D

I still eat out but I make smart decisions about what I order and I keep my portion sizes low. I always research the menu and compare it to calorieking.com for sit down places. I have to do this because things that one would assume is healthy and low cal on a menu really is not at all. Salads for example are rarely low cal because they have such huge portion sizes. Usually I keep to ordering grilled fish or chicken and substitute fries for fresh fruit, veggies or rice.

I'll even have fast food sometmes. For example I went to Arby's for lunch last week but only ordered a Ham & Swiss melt and left out the fries, which is only 268 calories. Then I had fruit which I had brought myself. A lot of fast food places now have lower calorie options like snack wraps but I wouldn't depend on them too often as they still aren't exactly healthy, just low cal.

But still, every once in a while, it's okay to indulge a little. Just not often. I'd say only 1-2 times a month you should treat yourself to a really nice meal no matter what the calories. Otherwise I don't know how one would stay sane haha. ;)

It might sound weird, but I've gone through and made calorie lists for myself of fast food resturaunts I'm likely to encounter when I'm with my bf (really the only time I eat fast food). This way I can pick something based off of the calorie content. Last time I went to Mc.Donalds I got a double hamburger, side salad, and fruit n' yogurt parfait. It was kind of nice bc without knowing the calorie, I would have never gotten a double hamburger. Probably would have stuck to the good old grilled chicken which gets extremely boring. I have little sheets for Mc.Donalds, Burger King, Wendy's, and Arby's in my purse. It's a little embarrassing, but whatever.

It is a bit tough though at actual restruants. I usually try to get grilled chicken with veggies bc I actually really do enjoy that meal. Or grilled shrimp is always good. I've also been trying to remember to get a side salad with my meal. Fries are a huge weakness for me so if I get them, I usually try to get a healthier entree. If for some reason I really want a less than healthy entree, I'll get veggies as a side. It's really hard when they put free bread on the table (who doesn't love free bread?!). I try to stick to one peice. That can be VERY hard at places like Red Lobster bc their Cheddar Bay Biscuits are the freaken shiiiat.

Something else I've been doing lately is NOT eating all of my food. I used to ALWAYS finish everything on my plate no matter what. Now I try to leave some every time. I think it's a good strategy.

the one thing I would say that makes me crazy and that I crave the most are my mothers chicken enchiladas. I do not hold back on those. But she will only make them on special occasions, but she saves me a plate :drool5:

I eat out. But my general rule is "if there's a healthier place around, go there first". We have a BBQ Pit and I can get a cheeseburger wrap that's grilled with lettuce and tomato n cheese. I always skip the mayo and such. And it's right across the street from Wendy's and Arby's. So I'll go there over fast food. Or I'll go next door to the BBQ Pit where there's a Sheetz gas station and get a sub.

Our Burger King has a Subway across the street, so I pick subway.
Our Mickey D's and other Arby's has a Chick-fil-A next door, I'll go chick-fil-A

And at a resturant, I try my hardest to get a decent meal. Take Applebee's for example, I'll get the quaso burger, but I wont eat my fries.

I eat out. But my general rule is "if there's a healthier place around, go there first". We have a BBQ Pit and I can get a cheeseburger wrap that's grilled with lettuce and tomato n cheese. I always skip the mayo and such. And it's right across the street from Wendy's and Arby's. So I'll go there over fast food. Or I'll go next door to the BBQ Pit where there's a Sheetz gas station and get a sub.

Our Burger King has a Subway across the street, so I pick subway.
Our Mickey D's and other Arby's has a Chick-fil-A next door, I'll go chick-fil-A

And at a resturant, I try my hardest to get a decent meal. Take Applebee's for example, I'll get the quaso burger, but I wont eat my fries.

Subway has been great for when my husband and I want to eat out, but recently we've been going to Port of Subs (don't know if they have locations everywhere...) for something different but still low cal. But right downstairs is this place called the Chuckbox, they make massive burgers with all the horrible sides, onion rings, hush puppies, etc. They even have this little (normal sized!) burger that they call the Little One. The menu says it's for "kids and lil' old ladies."

Needless to say, we don't go there anymore. I'm kind of lucky when it comes to picking healthy places to eat because I work on a college campus and that's where my husband goes to school, so there are tons of options around.

I used to eat at Subway but I got tired of the communication issues common to Dallas-area Subways. Now if I want a sub I go to Firehouse, which is pretty close by. It is possible to keep a Firehouse sub healthy; the one I usually order is about 400-500 calories.

I eat out all the time and it has been challenging for me.

I used to go to a restaurant and have them surprise me with whatever they thought was best. If I'm going to a new restaurant I still have them surprise me with anything - but if I'm going to like an Applebees/Chilis/Fridays style place I'll generally just have them surprise me off the lite menu. That way I still get my surprise but don't go crazy on the calories. Another trick I use is to have them bring a to-go box right away and put at least half of the food in the box immediately.

I just made a new discovery:
Boston Market
1/4 White Chicken
String Beans as side 1
Potatoes or String Beans as side 2 (their sring beans are soo good)
AND a biscuit

all that, is like 600 calories or so, if you take off the chicken skin.. which i don't like anyway... YUMMMY!

I never ate out a lot, once a week or less.
When I do get the urge to go to a restaurant, I usually go for Vietnamese. I only discovered Vietnamese food about a year ago; they have so many yummy, veggieful and relatively low cal options. Love it.

It is hard to avoid temptations when we go out to eat. I think we should decrease the frequency of outings. We are putting so much effort in our diet and that shouldn't be jeopardized frequently. Though it takes time to cook our meals but the benefits outweigh the efforts. When I go out to eat, I try to eat grilled or steamed dishes with lots of vegetables. When I eat burger or pizza, I eat more vegetables and fruits for few days to compensate.

ONCE in a while it is good to eat out and not worry about the calories. (maximum once a week)