It's ok to eat out (and Day 20 - 21 Day Sugar Detox)

While sitting in the Weight Watcher meetings, I can often tell who is there for the "quick fix" and who is there to change their lifestyle and get healthy (and yes, lose weight). 

The ones who want the quick fix give up after a couple of months (or weeks) if they are not seeing big results at the scale.  They try to get bigger weight losses by trying to "cheat" the system.  They don't follow the program, they restrict their food intake until they are miserable, and blame everything and everyone else for there weight loss struggles.  And most often, they are the ones who weigh in, grab the weekly literature, and don't stay for the meetings. 

The Lifestyle Changers are there for the long haul.  They know there is no quick fix.  They attend meetings regularly, they follow the program, they make changes they can live with for a lifetime.  They ask questions of the leaders and other members, and though it may be hard, they even ask for help when they get stuck. 

But the biggest difference between the two that I have seen over the years, has to do with eating out. 

A lot of Quick Fixers will avoid eating out or social situations because they don't want to face the temptation.  And if they do go out, have a nice meal, they feel like they have failed. 

The Lifestyle Changers go out to eat.  They take on the challenge of dining out and being in social situations.  They learn tricks and tools to get them through, so they can enjoy the meal and not feel guilty about it.

Quick Fixers, if they go out, tend to stick to salad and water.

Lifestyle Changers will eat foods they like and will enjoy the meal.  They learn to ask how food is prepared and to request changes that suit their lifestyle choices.

I have to admit, I started out as a Quick Fixer, but I soon found that I was envious of my friends and their food choices.  Then I stopped eating out because I didn't want to face the temptation or sit there eating salad while my friends enjoyed burger and fries. 

At some point, I realized I couldn't hide my whole life.  I had to learn to deal with eating out or in social situations.  I wanted to enjoy my meals when I dined out.  I wanted to eat out as a Lifestyle Changer, not a Quick Fixer.  It took me a long time to become comfortable with making enjoyable healthy choices or, when the mood struck me, to just go with what sounded good.  I came to realize that one indulgent meal during the week would not throw my weight loss off track.  I could eat out and lose weight.  I even lost weight on one my Disneyland trips.  So it is possible.

My husband and I eat out two, sometimes three, times a week.  We have one night during the week we have dinner out and one day during the week that we eat lunch out.  We enjoy our meals while enjoying weight loss (or in his case, weight maintenance).

When we went grain-free, our meals while eating out began to change.  Hubby was much better about choosing grain-free meals, while I used our dinner out as an opportunity to indulge once a week in grain.  Being grain-free 90% of the time, I definitely noticed a difference in how I felt after splurging and having grains.   I soon joined my Hubby with eating my burger without the bun or finding other meals that were grain-free. 

Last night was our Dinner Date night.  Eating out while on the detox hasn't been that difficult.  I avoid meals with grains or sauces (that may contain hidden sugars), stick with veggies and protein, and bring my own dressing into the restaurant.  I have been able to eat while sticking to the plan.  I do indulge a bit and get sweet potato fries (yes, I know the oil they are cooked in is not good for me, but like I said, it's my indulgence and I eat it knowing the consequences).  Last night I had a burger with tomato, lettuce, sautéed onions and mushrooms, bacon, and my other indulgence, a slice of cheese.  Also had a side salad and sweet potato fries.  A wonderful, yummy meal, with a few indulgences, but without totally blowing off the plan. 

I like that I can eat out, guilt free, enjoy my meal, stay on plan, and yes, lose weight while doing it. 

So let me say it.... It's okay to eat out while you are on a weight loss program.  Eat.  Enjoy it.  You are making changes for a lifetime, not sacrificing for a lifetime.  And remember, one meal will not blow your whole week!

Day 19 of the detox went great.  I felt so much better, more in control and did a lot less snacking and grazing.  I enjoyed my dinner date with Hubby and went to bed feeling successful.

Today is Day 20!  Hard to believe I only have two more days left of the detox.  Time to start thinking about my plan of action for Day 22 and beyond.  I have some thoughts on how to move forward, but need to think them through and then maybe write them down as a reminder of why I did this and why I don't want to go back to the way I was eating.

I do have some challenges today, for some reason Fridays seem to be my day to snack, graze, and overeat at work, but I brought snacks, I have walks lined up with friends, and I have people I can turn to for support.  It will be a successful day!