On the road again...

Hey guys! Well, we're leaving for Atlanta on Thursday to visit my son at college. He immediately sprang into action and made a reservation at Emeril Lagasse's restaurant. Leave it to my kid to pick one of the most expensive restaurants in Atlanta! I went online to check the menu...the food looks so good it's frightening. Question: When you know you are going to a fancy restaurant with rich foods, how do you prepare yourself mentally and physically for it? After being on that cruise, I want to prepare myself better for situations such as this. Any and all advise will be welcome. I want to be a good girl on this trip. Thanks, Joanie

Hi Joanie, Isn't it funny, restaurant eating is never an issue for me. It's the grazing at home that gets me in trouble. My personal trick is to stick to the left half of the menu. That's where the appetizers, salads and soups usually are. I order one of those and then taste food from other plates if I want it. I usually don't even look at what's on the rest of the menu. The other option is since you have a menu available is to decide what you're going to have ahead of time and stick with it. There's a restaurant here called Durant's where the movers and shakers go. I love that place because they have an appetizer called Debris. It's lean trimmings from steak that are spiced and grilled. Just 3 or 4 ounces served as an appetizer. It's a perfect meal for me if I order a side salad to go with it. Have a wonderful trip. Hugs, Connie

Hi Connie! Thanks for the thoughts. I think I am going to concentrate on the appetizers, after checking the menu they look pretty good and I'm sure the portions aren't huge. I am sure my boyfriend and my son will 'chow down' with something more substantial, I can have the appetizer served with their main course and I could pick on their stuff as well as my own so I can get my 'taste' in. I'm ususally pretty good with restaurants, as my boyfriend and I usually split a meal, but I think I'm just feeling overly sensitive since the cruise. I'll let you know how it goes! Joanie

Joanie, define "good girl." We must get to the point where we can live happily and joyously with food in our lives. Enjoy your meal out with your son but don't set yourself up to abuse yourself with food because of all-or-nothing, black/white thinking. Go for the gray, go for the middle-ground. On the day you are going out to eat at this place, wake up, start your day with a solid, healthy choice for what you will eat for breakfast -- fruit, fiber, and protein. Then, talk a long, vigorous walk -- Atlanta is generally gorgeous this time of year! Pay attention to all of your senses as you move your new, lithe body through space -- note the sights, sounds, smells of all that is around you, embracing you. Get your water in throughout the rest of the day; pamper yourself when it's time to get cleaned up and dressed for your evening out...and then, simply have a good time! Relax, laugh a lot, try to make yourself more interested in your son's new life than what's on the menu (believe me, I know from experience how difficult this is to do!) -- just concentrate on the simple pleasures of living life, right now, in this moment. I will expect to hear all about your trip and how you fared at dinner. Much love, sweetie. Maureen

Hi Maureen! Yes, my son does have the whole day planned out---a concert in the morning, then the Coca Cola factory in the afternoon, so I'm sure a lot of walking will take place. I want to get the full experience without getting crazy about the food. I'm sure an appetizer will do me just fine, then I can also pick on my son's and my boyfriend's dinner. Thanks for the great advise and I'll let you know how I make out! Joanie

Hi Joanie; Maureen and Connie both have given some sound advice. I don't eat out very often, so when I do, I try to enjoy it as much as possible. I assume that I'm not going to be perfect, so I try to do the right thing throughout the day leading up to that dinner. As for the meal itself, although I've always enjoyed drinks and wine, I avoid them before and during a nice meal to save the calories for the food. Like Connie, I check the apetizers first to see if any work for me. If there is an entree that I feel I must have, I just go for it on the assumption that I'll only eat part of it and either let someone else at the table fini**** or ask the waiter to wrap it up. Leftovers never last in my house, so if I don't make another meal out of it, someone else in my family will! I don't see any reason why a WLS Post-Op can't enjoy good food as long as some care is taken. Enjoy the trip and post us on your return. Take care Joanie! Mike

Thanks, Mike! I am the queen of the doggie bags, since my boyfriend is a restaurant kind of guy. The appetizers at this place look amazing and I think that's the way to go. I'll let you know how I make out! Joanie

I agree with the others go and enjoy your son & have a good time, don't fret too much over the small stuff. Have what you want & enjoy every bite that you have. Marilyn, the Bearlady

Thanks Marilyn! I really can't wait to see my son...and he's so excited about us coming that I don't want to ruin anything by getting in a dump-ish state. I'll try not to fret the small stuff and let you know how I make out. Joanie