how do you dine out now?

Hi everyone, I have been at my goal for over a year and only had a few flucuations... anyway, I still like to go out to eat and was wondering how everyone else deals with this now that you are a graduate... I dont tell anyone at the resteraunt that I need a special meal, its really not something that they know anything about and most could really care less..I tell them a lot of the time that I had just eaten when my husband called and asked me go out to eat with him. This way I dont spend a bunch of money of food that I wont eat and left overs are NEVER as good as the first time around. So when we go out now, I normally work on my fluid intake, just sit there and drink water or iced tea. Last night my husband met me for an all you can eat rib meal. I had just eaten with my daughter and really was full so I just enjoyed his company. the waiter seemed to understand this and did not hover around making sure I did not sneak some of his ribs sometimes however there is something that I would really like to eat and ask if they have half protions, if not. I may go ahead and order it and enjoy my dinner. and if i dont eat my left overs... someone in my house will. Thanks everyone Donna 277/150ish

Hi Donna, I am pretty much like you. We eat at the same resturants over and over so I sorta have a routine with each place. A few of them we eat at allow adults to eat a childs plate and I do that, if not I either ask my kids to share something with me or I get what I want, I had to get over that feeling of spending the money and wasting it. I figure it's worth it and I enjoy going out and enjoying my company. I don't normally do leftovers they just don't sit well in my picky pouch. Great post! Sharon

I too have pretty much gotten over the price of food issue. My husband still kind of feels odd when I don't eat but he is better now. have a great day. Donna

I enjoy going to dinner, but I either share with another or I order somthing I can take home. Filet is good on salad the next day for lunch, so that is one of my favorites. Chicken is usually to dry for me when we eat out. Some fish works and shirimp is good and another favorite on salad. That's what works for me. Sara

Donna, we don't dine out much but when we do I usually look for something on the appetizer menu that will suffice or always fall back to a chef salad or grilled chicken salad. I've also just ordered a side salad before and choose something off of my husband's plate that will work. I really hated dining out early post-op because I could eat so little and felt I was "wasting money", I don't let that bother me know, I'll choose something to eat or bring the leftovers home if I really want something and know it'll be way to much. Dana

I enjoy going out to eat still. I don't show a card or ask for the kids menu~I just order what sounds good and enjoy it. If they have half-portion sizes for what I want to order that's great and if not, I bring the rest home. I have dh and 2 sons so it will get eaten around here, LOL! If I'm done eating but 3/4 of it is still on the plate I sometimes get a weird look from the waiter~I just usually say "oh I wasn't that hungry, but it was very good" and ask for a container. Ya know what I LOVE to go out to eat the most~Breakfast! For some reason when someone else makes the omelet it just tastes sooooooo good, YUM! Ok, now you're making me hungry!!!!!!!!!!! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

I eat put on a regular basis and I can state with no reservations there will never be a day I am in a restaurant sipping water or tea while everyone else eats. I order what I want and it is usually something that fits in with what I am SUPPOSED to be eating. rarely anything fried, maybe 2 times a year on that. If they offer half portions I will order that, If not I just ask for a box. I do not share off of someone elses plate unless we are trading bites. I feel like I deserve my own dinner and my own plate. If I have leftovers I take them home. If I don't eat them I have no guilt for placing it in a garbage can, as eating something I don't need is using my body as the garbage can. our favorite place is a sushi place which makes it easy to order as many pieces of sushi as I knw I can eat. (although I have been known to order extra to take home for the next day for breakfast ) I have gone to a brunch a couple times and yes, I paid full price. My DH would kill me if I embarassed him by pulling out a restaurant card. I found many things I was able to eat and took reasonable portions. shrimp, veggies, fresh fruit etc. or an omlet etc. I did not eat a large quantity, but felt yes, I got my moneys worth. I had a very nice meal, with good company, and enjoyed every bite. In my eyes that is my moneys worth., even tho it was not several large plates. heck, all the people going for several large plates were obese anyways, and I dont want to go there again. I can find something on every menu that fits my needs. sometimes I have to be creative. Never have I been questioned about ordering an appetiser and have not ever asked a waiter permission to do that either. As I said I order what I want. as always waiters stop by and make sure everthing is ok, no one ever harrasses me about eating a small portion. I prefer to think they look at how petite I am and assume that i am a small eater. I feel no need to explain my self to any waiter as to the amount I eat anyways. They pu****er on the table and I also do not comment on that either.. just because it is there doesn't mean I HAVE to drink it. I usually sip on it before my meal comes and then stop when the food arrives. ( my instructions were that I could drink up to 5 minutes before eating.)

Willow, its funny that you mention the water. Dh asked me about this recently b/c I always order a glass of water when we go out, but I rarely drink any of it. So, he wanted to know why I even bother ordering one?? Good question, LOL! I'm really not sure why~is it b/c everyone else is ordering something to drink? is it in case I might need a sip to wash something down? is it a security thing to have it there? I'm really not sure, but for me, I just feel better having that glass of water there! Jim just laughs b/c he thinks my quirks are cute! Tracy B

Tracy~ I get a water when I eat out to, and only may take a sip or two. It seems easier than hearing most waitresses say "You sure you dont want ANYTHING to drink" LOL!! That happens to me alot!!

The Old Bear (my darling husband) and I eat out probably once or twice a week. My ordering is based on my food intake during the earlier part of the day. If I'm long on protein, perhaps I'll just have a house salad. If I'm short on protein, maybe shrimp coctail. At other times we might share an entree - between the two of us we cannot eat one restaurant meal. I don't explain to anyone why I'm ordering only salad - it is none of their business. I do not mind paying an extra buck or two for the second plate. It is extra work for the restaurant staff to provide that second plate. There is a casino nearby which has a buffet which Rog really enjoys. I need to preface by saying that my husband weighs 101 pounds and is 5'4" - very underweight - and eats very little at a time. We have been eating there for the past 3 years, so they've watched me shrink. The manager is a close friend, and based upon knowing about my surgery, she instituted child's price meals for post-ops who have the surgery cards. I use my card at that buffet, and pay child's price for my meal. with regard to water at meals - I carry my vitamins with me wherever we go - and Rog needs to take his at dinner too - so we share a small glass of milk for the vitamins - a sip for me and the remainder for Old Dude. I almost never take leftovers home. The Darling Dude has pointed out repeatedly that what I really use the refrigerator for is to store our garbage (aka leftovers), so we try to order meals which will satisfy us without having a bunch of food left to be tossed out - by us or by the restaurant. One of our favorite Friday evenings is to go to a local restaurant which makes excellent minestrone and has a fabulous house salad - Rog has soup, Momma has salad. Then on to the American Legion where he has a beer, momma has a glass of wine and we listen to music for a couple hours. Rog's health will not permit him to take part in the fast dances, but he can waltz up a storm, so we might dance 3 or 4 times, sip our drinks then home by 10. Inexpensive evening, no leftovers, a little exercise, and some hand holding and what us country musician types call "belly rubbin". Mom Bear