I am so worried.
My IL's always take me out for dinner with a group of the family this time every year...tomorrow is the day. I dont know what to do..the best present is to not make me go but then it is in my honour so that isnt going to work.
My thought was to eat before we go that way I can atleast know I have kept to my plan but my husband says that is unsociable.
Has anyone rang a restarant and asked if they can weigh the meal before cooking, I'm pretty flexable with the salad as most I can eat or pick out but quanties are worring me too.
My other thought was just to order a steak and salad and have my scales in my bag and discretly weigh under the table
I just dont want to mess up I cant remember what the weight is for cooked meat either I think it was 30% less than raw.
Gosh I wish they would let me stay away
Bee
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Hi BeeG!

I was wondering whether it would be easier to call ahead to the restaurant and give them a list of the veggies and say that you want a salad made from the ones of the list and then measure by eye? You could also weigh something uniform like a type of fish that you like sometime before you go so that you have some kind of idea about the portion size before. Measure it against something like your hand so its easy to measure.
Can I just add that although I am sure your husband means well, he needs to support that you need to throw yourself into this 100%? It is not a program that has any flexibilty (apart from the choices listed) but it has the quickest and most life changing weight loss that I have ever come across. I am afraid he needs to understand how important it is to you and your success that you adhere strictly to the "rules". At least until you are a skinny winny
Try to relax, be confident in your ability to be able to get through the night without deviating and gather strength from your desire to stay on track...

Many hugs and many happy returns for the day!!!

Kim

__________________

BeeG,

It's simple... what I will do is to bring my food along to the restaurant and tell the management that i am on special diet. Given that your family members should make up a large number, the management will not say no to your request.

As to handling the queries and responses from your family, share with them that you really want to keep this going. And ask them for their understanding. Most importantly, share this goal with your husband and seek his understanding.

But this is the thing I have to do with my friends, especially when I'm at the inital stages... I refuse outings with my friends because I'm worried that I cave in under peer pressure. This is also partly because my friends do not understand why and what I am doing this for so it's kinda useless to make them understand... so i usually limit my outings with friends unless my friends fully understand and are supportive of what I'm going through.

BeeG, I would do the same as Newlife. I take my own food already weighed and cooked in a tupperware, and then put it on one of the restaurants plates when everyone else gets their food. People first looked at me like I was loony, but my friends and family are used to it now.

Its not worth losing a week of fat loss for one dinner out as far as I'm concerned.

BeeG I have had a few social occasions recently and have found that if there isn't an alternative on the menu (warm chicken salad, etc) ask the waiter/waitress if the chef would make a grilled chicken salad or the steak and salad without sauces. They usually advise or help if they can. Perhaps a phone call before hand, then they know ahead of time and can prepare (or not) as may be the case. At one pub lunch, my husband and I shared his steak( I asked them to put the sauce in a separate dish) and I ordered a side salad. As for amounts, many menus have the weight of the steak on them so you could gauge an approximate amount of your hubby's to pilfer. Of course he needs to agree to let you have some of his meal for this to work. Actually you may be surprised at how quickly your body has adjusted to the Cohen's portions, eat slowly and be concious of what your body is saying, it will let you know that you've had enough, and then STOP. It works for me.
So you have certainly got a range of options from us about your lovely meal out. Relax and enjoy yourself and the company. Let us know how you went.
All the best, Lauren
Just wanted to add, don't be afraid to ask what is in the dish, ie, marinades, sauces, dressings, how it is cooked, if the staff don't know, they will ask the chef.

__________________

Started Sept 4th 2006 Completed refeed May 2nd 2007

just a thought too. My consultant was telling me that several restaurants in our town will do a cohens meal for you if you give them your amounts. It is part of the Cohens plan. Cohens have approached tham and explained what we are doing and they have agreed to offer that option. I haven't tried it myself, but the restaurant we normally go to has jumped on the bandwagon so at least I know if I have to go out I can still have my Cohens meal. Give the restaurant a ring and see if they do it.
My hubby, god love him, has agreed that we are having a few weeks without social functions unless they are at home or at a friends house. I tried my first outing last night at a friends bbq. I was insistent at taking my own meal and I think she thought I was a bit mad, but she is a good friend and just said whatever. She said ' I've got chicken to go on the bbq if you want some of that' so I explained it had to be weighed. Surprisingly I stuck to my guns and it wasn't so hard.
good luck with your meal out. let us know how you do

__________________

Thanks so much for your replies...
After a few tears today and my hubby being alittle unsupportive which dont get me wrong 90% he is a good guy but those 10 ahhhh esp if it has anything to do with his family.
I found out we are off to a Italian restarant ~ good choice
So I rang and spoke to the staff and they said they are fine with weighing my meal meat wise..I felt a tad embarrased to ask about the salad so hubby is happy to take the little scales and do that .
I hope it turns out ok..we have had things at friends houses and have been taking my own and feel good for it, its just I pretty much dont want to go
Bee

Hi BeeG - How did it go?

__________________

Kimmy,
I think I did ok, the restarant wasnt all that helpful actually a tad rude about my requirements so I have told everyone one one I know
I ended up having grilled fish but didnt eat the skin as it looked really oily and a salad although it came with vegies that had been in olive oil and I had to re ask for the salad with no dressing.
Thru the entrees and Deserts I just sipped my water and making my husband order what I would of liked just so I could see it.
I saw my consultant yesterday and she said I did the best thing to do Fish are usually a smaller size hence if I went with the steak I'm sure I would of eaten the whole thing.
Its funny to see how much food people put in there mouths, I came home fulfilled not to much error was made and that I coped
Thanks for asking
Bee