Day 4. The Restaurant.

It was bound to happen sooner or later. The time when you are invited out for a meal. Whether it is with your family or your friends, you will be going to a restaurant.

The important thing to remember here is that living is important. This is not a DIEt, but a way of life. Which means that after reaching goal, you still have to live. So why not make the good habits now while we are in losing mode so that during maintaining we don't just go hog wild thinking we an eat whatever we darn well please.

Like yesterday, the key here is to plan. Try to find out the restaurant before you go and see if you an fin energy menu online. If you are already prepared with your meal selection than it will be easier to stick with that choice after the first glass of wine.

Yes, regarding wine. Wine is delicious and helps us relax, but it also lowers our inhibitions making good food choices harder to make. My suggestion, if you go for the wine, also order a water and sip both the whole time. Try to make the glass last.

Other suggestions:
Steer clear of bread and cheese before the meal. If you can, see if they have raw veggies as an appetizer. The chef may gladly make you some. Avoid cream and butter and ask how the meal is prepared. You are the customer and they want you to be happy!

If you are at a heavy portion sized place, ask for a take home container to come with the meal. I've split a burger in half, put one half in the doggie bag and ate the rest. I didn't feel over stuffed, but just right. And I had another decent meal the next day.

Most of all, enjoy yourself and remember this is just one day. If you fall of the wagon, no harm, don't beat yourself up, just get right back on in the morning.

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So I wrote all of the above before going out to dinner. I did go online and look up the menu before hand and decided on the broiled scallops. However, I got to the place and did get tempted....

The server at Durgin Park told me about the baked sea scallops with a crab breaking that was just too good to pass up. So I splurged. Sometimes you just have to. I also stuck with one glass of wine and 1/2 of a slice of the most amazing key lime pie. I did not finish all the scallops, but ate till I was full but not overstuffed. The mile walk to the train and the mile walk home helped too. All and all, I would say this was a successful night out. We'll just have to see what the scale says at weigh in next week.....