Nervous and Excited....

I am leaving tommorrow to go to VA. to see my in-laws....I am nervous because I have such a hard time eatting at resturants and I am scared that I will get sick while out.. And I am excited because I will see them and they will see me down 58 lbs. I have not seen them in like almost 2 years....I went yesterday to get clothes at Goodwill.. and OMG I am in a 22 down from a 32.....Woohooooo.....But anyway can someone tell me some good ideas to get past my fear.....of eatting at resturants........

.Thank you in advance.....Crystal

Just remember to eat your protein first and remember to think about the way a restaurant might prepare something. I always follow the rule that when in doubt order a salad.  Suzanne

Crystal, I do not have advice, I just wanted to say how great you are doing!!! 58lbs WOW!!!

58lbs..... dance !!!!!!!  fish and veggies, salad Ive only been to one restaurant sense surgery .

I personally wouldn't order a salad while you are this early out.  It is highly important to get your protein in and salads don't offer you the protein like broiled, baked or grilled chicken or fish would.  I would try to order that 1st and if it comes with some kind of side order, I would order a plain baked potatoe.  I wouldnt order a side of veggies, unless it was steamed, but even then, you don't know what they add to them or on them.  Remember to eat your protein 1st and I'm sure you would be too full to eat anything after that.  I always give my extra food to my skinny husband.....lol.  Also remember to not drink with your meal.  You probably could have some ice water before your order, but rememberr to wait 15 minutes after your last drin****il you eat your food.  If you like the idea of eating a saled for dinner, I would make sure you eat a food or drink with good protein before you leave for the resturant.  But again, with salads you really need to watch the dressing you choose.  Many dressing have tons of fat and sugarr added to them.  If you chose the salad route, make sure you don't put the dressing on the salad .  I would dip the tip of my fork into the dressing and then into the salad.  I hoped this helped you out a little.  Best of luck to you and congrats on your weight loss! Kerri

Sorry Crystal, I don't have any advice. Except do what the others said, protein first ! Wanted to tell you I am very proud of you ! Your doing a great job girl ! Hope you have a great time in VA. Let us know when you get back ! ~~Rona

I still keep a box of quart-sized freezer bags in the car and a few in my purse.  They help me know I can easily deal with being sick if it happens.  I always travel with protein drinks (EAS Carb Edge are easy to find at Walmart and Target, Pure Protein are 12 ounce cans that are easy to sip from and come from Trader Joe or Vitamin Shoppe) and protein bars so I don't have to depend on restaurants for my needs.  I walk in knowing that I can look the menu over, take a whiff of the place (ok, laugh, but some smell greasy to me and aren't worth trying) and just order Iced Tea if I want to.  That takes the pressure off. 

I often order club sandwiches on whole wheat toast.  I can take them apart and eat the good stuff, and the remaining pieces lasts pretty well in the white box.  Only Shoney's was able to make one that was greasy, I still don't know how.  Chili is also a good, inexpensive choice to try.  Soup is easy to play with at the table if you think you might have a problem.  When you are with the in-laws, it will be more about the socializing, anyway.  I usually tell the waitress "I don't eat much, can you bring a box with my meal so I can fill it up?"  They are ALWAYS good about that, and it takes the focus off what I actually do eat.

You can do it!

Soups are always good for me.  I can work on the broths and usually the things in them are wet or very soft and can be chewed really well. Like Kerri, I would also recommend NOT to drink with solid food.  If you eat soups, try not to go with anything that has chunks of meat in it.  Potatoes and such are good if not over dressed with fatty stuff.  All else fails, just do what I did in the past and order the food and talk alot and move the food around on your plate, taking very few, small bites then ask for a doggie bag at the end.  Most of the time noone notices that you did not really eat and they are satisfied that you are visiting with them. Wendy