When you're dieting, you may feel like you have to isolate yourself from anything that will sabotage your efforts. A bad day at work, a surprise visit from your in laws, and even a night out with friends can make you feel out of control. Anything “unplanned” can derail even the most careful dieter.
If you have friends that love to go out to eat, you most likely feel the challenge every time they ask you to come along. If your friends don't watch their diets, the restaurants they choose can be detrimental. An evening out with your pals shouldn't make you worried that you'll end up gaining back those last five pounds! Here's a few tips to make sure your fun time doesn't ruin your new healthy lifestyle.
Make a rough outline of what you intend to order. If more than one restaurant is being debated, then have a plan for all of them. Getting caught without a plan is the number one reason why most people fail to stick with their diets.
If your planning a larger evening meal, don't skip earlier meals in the day to offset your calories. Normally, you'll end up feeling a lot hungrier by dinner time, and you'll actually eat more calories than you intended to for the day. Eating a regular lunch will help keep your appetite under control when the temptations arrive at your table.
What you drink is just as important as what you're eating. If it's an evening with cocktails, alternate water with your alcohol. Besides for keeping your blood alcohol level down, you'll consume less calories from drink by the end of the evening. Alcohol can also cause you to make bad decisions when it's time to order. When at all possible, water or diet soda is your best choice.
Stay away from appetizers you didn't plan on and the bread basket! If you're having fun with your friends, it's too easy to munch while your chatting without realizing what you're doing. If you're having problems with the temptation, try chewing gum until your meal arrives.
If you're ordering a salad, ask for the dressing on the side. The easiest way to shave calories off your salad is to dip your fork in the dressing instead of drowning your lettuce in it.
Eating out with friends who aren't dieting can be an easy task if you follow a few simple guidelines. Although, if your best eating behavior takes a backseat for the night, don't let it get to yourself. You can always sweat it out in the gym the next day. One bad meal will not undo your efforts.
If you have friends that love to go out to eat, you most likely feel the challenge every time they ask you to come along. If your friends don't watch their diets, the restaurants they choose can be detrimental. An evening out with your pals shouldn't make you worried that you'll end up gaining back those last five pounds! Here's a few tips to make sure your fun time doesn't ruin your new healthy lifestyle.
Make a rough outline of what you intend to order. If more than one restaurant is being debated, then have a plan for all of them. Getting caught without a plan is the number one reason why most people fail to stick with their diets.
If your planning a larger evening meal, don't skip earlier meals in the day to offset your calories. Normally, you'll end up feeling a lot hungrier by dinner time, and you'll actually eat more calories than you intended to for the day. Eating a regular lunch will help keep your appetite under control when the temptations arrive at your table.
What you drink is just as important as what you're eating. If it's an evening with cocktails, alternate water with your alcohol. Besides for keeping your blood alcohol level down, you'll consume less calories from drink by the end of the evening. Alcohol can also cause you to make bad decisions when it's time to order. When at all possible, water or diet soda is your best choice.
Stay away from appetizers you didn't plan on and the bread basket! If you're having fun with your friends, it's too easy to munch while your chatting without realizing what you're doing. If you're having problems with the temptation, try chewing gum until your meal arrives.
If you're ordering a salad, ask for the dressing on the side. The easiest way to shave calories off your salad is to dip your fork in the dressing instead of drowning your lettuce in it.
Eating out with friends who aren't dieting can be an easy task if you follow a few simple guidelines. Although, if your best eating behavior takes a backseat for the night, don't let it get to yourself. You can always sweat it out in the gym the next day. One bad meal will not undo your efforts.
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