[LaurAnnHere]

I don't know what to do. My husband and I are dieting together. He wants to go out tomorrow for Valentines Day and have a "cheat day". To be honest, I want to, too. That's what makes it so hard. I know if we go out and he orders regular food I'm going to want to do it, too. It doesn't help matters that I'm frustrated with my lack of progress. It's been almost a month and I've lost 4 stinkin' pounds. I've been eating less than 20 carbs a day. I've avoided sugar alcohols b/c I read they can slow you down. I don't crave anything anymore, but if I get out and see things I love to eat like bread, pasta, and potatos, I'm going to want it.

[coffeeaddict]

temptation is everywhere I work at Chilis's so I know I am surrounded by food I like every day and it is all free to me....I some how have managed to stay on program for 3 weeks now and although I had initially dropped weight I gained back 2 this week (TOM). cheating will only make you have the cravings for the food again. I say go out and try your hardest to stay as close to program as possible only because this is a life changing way of eating and you can't avoid socializing forever. If you can't then you know what to do pick your self back up and get back to business....you can always have whip cream off your hubby for dessert.... haha

[srmb60]

To be honest, I'm not that well versed in low carb. I try to keep mine at 20% or usually under 30 but I don't know much about Atkins etc.
But I do do what I call a goodish bad meal in restaurants. I try to stick with either chicken or fish. I try not to empty the bread basket. I try to leave some of the starchy side behind, don't empty my dessert bowl .....

[susie_sunshine]

Don't feel bad, we're going out for dinner this weekend. I plan to portion control by sharing an entree with my husband and have an extra large salad before the meal. Going out doesn't have to be about cheating! It can just be about going out!

[SherryA]

Sometimes a cheat day helps you to lose weight if you've been stalled. But sometimes if you've been on strict induction, and you have a day out where you eat any and all things you want? You can get VERY sick. I've ruined times out with my hubby by eating too many carbs after being on very low carb by getting physically sick in the restaurant.

Especially it seems that I can't tolerate much bread after a low carb lifestyle has set in. I literally need to throw up afterwards. So keep that in mind. It may not be true for you, but it might be. It isn't much fun to go out for a nice dinner, eat what you want and then have it make you sick.

[hockeyfan7]

Where were you planning to go? We had reservations at a seafood restaurant tonight, but I'm too sick to go out. You can always ask the waiter not to bring bread to the table. Have a big salad to start the meal. Eat a large protein entree like steak and chicken or steak and shrimp or chicken and shrimp or whatever and some veggies. Then splurge with a little bit of dessert.

I like eating at Chilis. I have a salad with no croutons, then a grilled steak with the steamed veggies. Or the combo fajitas with no tortillas. They make a great steak.

[lady_adnerb]

LaurAnn: How'd it go? Did you cheat? Truthfully, only YOU know what you can tolerate. As in, can you cheat one day and still be able to jump back on track the next day....or will it totally sidetrack you?

[LaurAnnHere]

I didn't cheat. I went to red lobster and got a big plate of crab legs and a cesar salad, no croutons or dressing (I don't eat dressing because I don't like it). I still haven't lost much weight, which makes me sick, but at least my diabetes is controlled. That has to count for something.

On top of that, I survived a visit to Chucky Cheese yesterday. THeir pizza sucks, but it smelled and looked good to me. I sat and talked while our friends and kids ate with minimal discomfort, but besides that I just had fun with my toddler.

[susie_sunshine]

Way to go LaurAnn!

[LaurAnnHere]

Thanks.