[twinchick]

I just started the diet and I have been following it really closely- 5.5 pounds the first week! This weekend i am going out of town and i am worried that i am going to be in the vacation mode and not worry about my diet- Any tips to staying on the diet while still enjoying going out and being with friends? (it's a girls weekend-- we are going to be going out both nights!)

[dance4ever]

get a copy of the dining out menu from your center. Pack your special dressings for salads and melba toast rounds. Everything else you can get from a restaurant. Ask for your food specially cooked without oils &/or butter. Drink lots and lots of water.
You can do it!! Have fun!

[chunkynurse]

I always kept a package of tuna, ziploc bag of melba toast and some kind of fruit (apple/orange) in my purse when I went out of town. Kind of like a little emergency pack. When I visit my family at home, they eat at odd times so it always made me feel better that I had a back-up plan that was OP.

[chunkynurse]

Sorry guys - just wanted to test my signature

[tmdean44]

I need some help also. I have to go out of the country for a week and not sure how to handle it. The food in Puerto Rico is rice and beans with everything else fried (yuck). Any tips or idea's would be wonderful.

[katwmn1]

I had amazing fresh fish and vegetables when I was in PR...never had a bad, or fried meal.

[karla]

My last trip to Puerto Rico was to visit fami l& sure enough it involved tons of carbs & fried food but at the time it was so yummy....now not so much

[reuselady]

When I first started MRC, I had fun with the wait staff, asking them to help me figure out how to get 4 oz (or 6 oz) protein and 8 oz raw (or 4 oz cooked) veggies. At Taco Bell, I got 2 Chicken Burrito Supremes - hold the sour cream, rice, onion, and combine ingredients from both into one tortilla. Got extra side salad. Embarrassed the heck out of my son though

[NotaFatBride]

I always have trouble drinking all of my water while out of town. I find that either buying a large bottle of water or taking one with me helps.

I have trouble saying no to drinks. I love a good cocktail or a beer. Most of our friends are young and like to drink so most nights are about hitting the bars. I've had diet tonic water with a splash of lime in a bar- good but doesn't really do the trick. I've heard that vodka, gin or white rum are lower in calories. If mixed- stick to something diet. I now only go out to the bars for a special occasion.

As far as food goes I find it's fairly easy to stick to the MRC menu. Almost all places offer something with light protein or a salad. I avoid Mexican and Chinese because the fattening stuff is sooooo good (sorry tmdean44). If something looks too tempting either take the carb blockers (although they have never worked well for me) or try to resist the temptation. I think about that wedding dress I want to rock. Find a mantra ie. "swim suit season, swim suit season, swim suit season..." That helps too. If it's an annual event remind yourself that next year you can indulge.

tmdean44- have a great time on your vacation! I have no clue how to eat healthy in Puerto Rico. Have you talked to your center? Good luck and have fun!

[twinchick]

Thanks for the tips. I went in yesterday and picked up some of the fat/carb blockers. I am nervous that it is going to cause me to run to the bath room like alli supposedly does. I might try it for one meal and stick to the program the other parts! I too love a good cocktail-- they recommended vodka and then mixing it with diet rite-bring your own if the bar will let you! vodka doesn't throw you out of ketosis apparently. I think that the sweet tea vodka mixed with water is really good too! alright... i planned to be weighed in on monday so that i can see the damage-- i do NOT want my number to go up!!! Thanks again!