anxiety about going out to eat/ww

So, I have been on my current diet for 3 weeks and doing awesome - lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks :) Tomorrow is my weigh in. Tonight is DH birthday and we are going out to eat - at TGI Fridays (he is doing ww too and will not go out to eat anywhere that doesn't have points value but he has lost over 40 lbs since April). He gets a steak dinner that comes out to 11 pts. I don't love steak so after looking at the nutritional facts for EVERYTHING, it is super high! Even a "house salad" is 6 pts or so!!!!! I have decided I am just going to eat before and have a house salad when I go there, but what do you do? I am really trying not to blow it but even salads are like 20 something points!!!! I guess I could just have half and then ask them to bag the rest. Anyways, I guess my question is what do you do when you are trying to eat healthy and the nutritional facts are off the charts. Its a real eye opener to see what is in some of this stuff!

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

before you go, look at the nutrional value online. you could get a piece of grilled chicken with the sauce on the side, potato with house veggies. they have a dragon fire chicken that's really good that i think is 9 or 10 points maybe.

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

TGI has some meals that are approx 380 calories or so... I would use some of your "extra" points, and do some activity during the day to earn activity points.

anxiety about going out to eat/ww

you can always alter things. I would stay away from the salads. people always think they are good but in reality you can have one of the other entrees and be better off.

I usually look for one of the grilled chickens and then get veggies (double portion) skip the rice or potatoes.

I lost 30 lbs on WW and always ate out. It can be done and not stress about it. Just think outside the box a bit!!!!

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

Fridays is one of the worst! I think I actually got the steak once because it seemed like the least bad thing on the menu. Be careful with the veggies because Fridays now only has vegetables with sauce on them. I asked for plain and they said they couldn't, which kind of creeped me out (like there are literally NO fresh vegetables in the whole place?) I usually get a small steak and broccoli (when they have it plain) and thats it. Eat something before hand so you don't get too hungry there and make sure to get a good workout in that day and you should be fine!

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

I would honestly just get what you want! I lost 40 lbs on WWs and kept it off for years, and I always allowed myself to have a treat meal out once a week or so. I didn't go CRAZY - I wouldn't get a ton of high calorie drinks, an appetizer, a dessert, etc. But I would maybe share an appetizer, have a glass of wine, and order a dinner I liked, even if you only eat half. I'd rather eat half of something I liked than a whole portion of something I didn't really want to eat. It's more satisfying to me.

I think if you eat low point items early in the day (egg white omelets, veggies, fruits, etc.) to conserve your points, then you can indulge a bit at dinner. You can use your weekly points, too. One dinner shouldn't derail your great progress (congrats on your weight loss so far!)

Eating out should be enjoyable, so I just don't think there's any point in going if you are going to eat before hand and then pay for a house salad (which - let's face it - at Friday's is not going to be organic greens and farm fresh tomatoes and the like). My old leader used to talk about the concept of "flexible restraint" -- you can enjoy a meal out, or a holiday, or whatever, as long as you get right back on the program once the "event" is over. A more flexible approach will probably make it more likely you stick with the plan going forward. And one meal out a week, or one holiday dinner, or one birthday party never made anyone overweight. (Of course if the celebratory dinners are every other day, that's a different story, and then you really would have to be a lot more careful of what/how you eat!).

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

Thanks, I ended up doing ok. I got the Jack daniels chicken and shrimp which is only 15 points with no sauce, broccoli and a side salad with no cheese and no dressing. I think I did pretty good.

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

lol...no I refused to open a menu because I didn't want to look at the delicious drinks. Last time I went I had this cotton candy thing that was delish!!!!!!! and I didn't want to be tempted by anything!

Re: anxiety about going out to eat/ww

You MUST have the blackberry margarita next time you go. SO good!