HCB's Journal, 26 July 2015

I always start with a salad (dressing on the side) as an appetizer and water (and I try not to have any of the appetizers that the table orders unless its a special occasion) and if I'm going to be drinking alcohol, I wait until my meal is out before getting my drink. :-) It is hard to keep from overdoing it especially when there are some delicious food options  

Those are great hints! 

Eat slow and leave a little hungry. 

Drink a glass of water before the meal, eat lot's of veggies with it, that will make you feel full so you have no room for dessert and alcohol. You will be so full you'll pick just one. 

I try to mentally prepare myself by practicing in my mind what I am going to order, like a grilled chicken salad with blue cheese dressing or 2 tacos with no beans and no rice. Or hamburger steak with grilled onions and a side of cottage cheese. 

Like your words of wisdom.... Do not stop. One for the memory bank.  

I have to eat bean and vegetables soup before a party. I make a pot on Sunday and have it for lunch all week. Keeps me from snacking without control. I have fruit before deciding if I really need the dessert or salty snack 

When I go out to eat I don't like to go starving, because then I just choose so I can get some food. If we go before I am in the crazed food state it's easier to make good choices.  

Great words of the week I need to practice them 

I was bad this weekend too but I did control my portions. This is gonna sound weird, but I just never served my self a plate. I took a bite of this and bite of that while socializing . I'm sure I will pay for it as well tomorrow when the idiot box is staring me down, but MEH it was a party at it was worth it. LOL.  

I just remind myself of how much I have lost so far. Also if it is a lifestyle change it doesn't mean you can't indulge now and then. 

I'm trying to eat MUCH slower -- savor every bite, take drinks of water between bites -- usually that means at a family meal that if I take enough time, there's no opportunity for seconds because they've already been eaten! :) 

I try to order fairly healthy like @ BBQ cole slaw, beans or corn, and meat. Eat the a bit of the meat and the sides, take the rest of the meat home and have it for a couple more lunches. Have a salad or soup first then the main courses. Don't order desert, if you do get one to share.  

Again, great comments! 

Thanks for the words of the week - an inspiration! 

It helps me greatly that my husband is on the same plan as I am. Keeps us both accountable. But other than that I look for the best possible choices that I like and do not feel like I am punishing myself by making the choice.  

I use smaller plates for portion control. 

Words of the Week: "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." I am dedicated, determined and diligent. AWSOME had to say to myself... great info. and advice. FS we are still Climbing ...  

Smaller plates do help but unless you have that option on a buffet restaurant you don't have a choice At home it does help.  

One thing that I have been doing is trying to fill up on water before the meal comes 'round. For example, at a restaurant I down carbonated water like it's going out of style... Helps to fill the belly up so that you eat exactly what you want to put in your pie hole.