Strategies for eating out......

Today I’d like to share with you some strategies that help me stay on track when eating out at restaurants, holiday parties etc. Strategy #1-KNOWLEDGE IS POWER- You wouldn’t go on a job interview without knowing what job you are applying for would you? Well, the same thing applies here. I inquire ahead of time what food or type of food will be served. If we’re going to a restaurant I check the website to see what they offer. Strategy #2-RESEARCH- When you need to buy a new car you do not walk aimlessly into the dealership and point to a car and say “I’ll take that one”. That’s just crazy. You do your research first, find out prices, options, guarantees, etc. You want to make sure you have all the information you need to make your plans. So, with a food list/menu in hand I open my WW app and research the point values for the foods on the menu/list. Strategy #3- PLAN…PLAN….PLAN- Ok, menu/list with point values…check. So now I figure out my total points available for the day. I make sure to take into account other meals for the day and extra points that may be needed for the rest of the week. Once I know how many points I have to spend on my meal, I start making my choices. I start with items that I really want the most so I can fit them in guilt-free. Strategy #4- USE YOUR TOOLS- No matter how good a blueprint is, a house can’t be built without a hammer and nails. Make sure you have the proper tools to make your plan a success. My tool box consists of measuring cups/spoons and my food scale. Depending on the situation/place I sometimes bring(some of) my tools with me. I know you must be thinking “she’s nuts, who the heck brings measuring cups and a food scale to someones house or a restaurant?” My answer…..A SUCCESSFUL weight watcher, that’s who. Strategy #5- BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM- Ok, back to the list/menu. Some of the food is good for you….some of it not so good for you. My solution, increase the odds of good options. If you’re going to someone’s house offer to bring something. Make or bring something that you know you can have that is low in points. When I go to a restaurant I like to choose a plain baked potato (instead of mashed) with butter or sour cream on the side so I can control how much is used. If I get a salad that has croutons and cheese for example I’ll say no croutons and just have cheese on it. Most times if I know I’m having salad I smuggle my own sugar free fat free dressing in. Another thing I have done before is taken my cell phone and snapped a picture of my “before” picture. Set this as my wallpaper on my cell phone and kept my phone in my pocket. This way if I was having a weak moment I could pull out my phone and see the picture and remind myself that I don’t want to go back to old habits. Quote of the Day: "Food belongs on a plate NOT on a pedestal." ~ Author Unknown