Robin - I gotta say that I agree with Mel.
With the exception of Las Vegas we generally stay out of buffet situations. (Chinese isn't as big a problem - I love Chinese food but Jim can't stand it - up until recently we had a 'double whammy' nearby - a Chinese Buffet restaurant 
I never went there and it's since converted to a 'regular' Chinese restaurant). And as far as going by the book...I don't know whether I've said this on the board before - but for folks who've already had a bit of weight-training experience in the past (splits, free weights, etc) I don't see a problem with changing the splits. Like Mel, after my first couple of Challenges, the split routine got VERY boring, and I had absorbed enough information through a combo of books, the 'Net, and watching the muscleheadz at the gym to be able to get a bit creative. But if you're going to do BFL nutrition - keep it as clean as possible. When you have fat to lose, IMO keeping the nutrition superclean and portion controlled is significantly more important than getting the workouts 'perfect'.Remember - at most sit-down restaurants, including chains, you can ask for changes to menu items - a baked potato or corn on the cob instead of fries or rice pilaf; steamed veggies instead of cole slaw; etc. Even if it's not on the menu, most places these days know that many customers are watching their food choices. (the first thing that comes to mind is In-and-Out's "Protein Burger" which isn't on the menu - it's a special order - a lean hamburger wrapped in lettuce leaves instead of a bun).
Now, eating out isn't OPTIMAL usually, but if you work at it - plan ahead - you can handle most restaurant situations (with the exception of Chinese and buffets of course
)As far as Red Lobster, I have never actually been to one (none here in my local area) but I did check their website and I saw that it would be fairly easy to eat clean by a little menu-manipulation (as Dave Draper calls it). Some of the things listed were crab legs (generally not cooked in butter - that's put on the side so you can choose NOT to use it or use very little) and steak (they only list the specials on the site). I'm sure if you asked, you could get a fish filet cooked without added fat (or at least without too much). I also saw that they had steamed veggies and baked potatoes - just say NO to the sour cream and butter and you'd be okay. As far as the biscuits - again, I've never been to Red Lobster, so I don't know if they serve them in a bread basket or on the side of your plate - you could ask them NOT to bring you biscuits or push the basket away from you and towards the others. Now as far as I'm concerned, when I eat out I am a very 'all or nothing' person. If I eat a piece of bread, I want the whole basket and pass the butter too.
it's like the taste of the bread makes me crave more and more. If I don't have any to begin with, I'm better off (still better if Jim doesn't want it either - then we can get rid of the basket altogether).This reminds me of a passage from Rosemary Green's book "Diary of a Fat Housewife":
Quote:
PRACTICE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: ...Pay particular attention to this principle. It has worked miracles in my life. It was only after reaching my goal weight of 135 pounds that I came to understand the critical importance of environmental control. I call it practicing "the common sense of self-defense," and it has not only enabled me to lose the weight - but to keep it off.
Finally, I realized that the typical "here's a diet...now stick to it" line from the doctors simply wasn't enough. I faced the fact that willpower, applied at the wrong point, had failed me for years. Willpower alone simply isn't enough. At least not in the conventional sense. I still cannot trust myself alone with a cheesecake. I am afraid I would eat the whole thing. So should I throw up my arms and give up? Or should I practice "the common sense of self-defense" - a conscious effort at environmental control where food is concerned - and NEVER ALLOW MYSELF TO BE ALONE WITH A CHEESECAKE!? You see, I have discovered that we fatties must look further than traditional willpower for a solution. We must implement a little ol' brainpower! We must determine which link is our weak link in the stimulus - response chain that leads to overeating. At which point in the chain can we expect our willpower to fail?
After 20 years I faced the fact that I simply can't control myself once the maple bar is in my hand. At that point, it is not my fault if I eat it. It is literally beyond my control. Like the alcoholic sitting at a bar with his favorite drink in front of him, once that stupid maple bar is in my hand, I am a goner. BUT...I DID have control before I bought the greasy sucker. Or before I walked into the store. Or before I got out of my car. Of before I stepped into my car. Heck, I knew I was going to buy that life-wrecking hunk of sugar and grease before I sneaked out of my house. That is where willpower must be applied! When the first wicked thought of excess calories enters the brain - that is the place to nip it! Benjamin Franklin said "It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it." And Mark Twain said "It is easier to stay out than to get out." So I have made a comittment to me: I am Rosemary. I am a foodaholic. I must never again go into a grocery store alone...If I follow that rule, I will never again buy a stupid maple bar. "The common sense of self-defense." The sweet sound of thin and healthy for life! You see, I have become like the alcoholic who was smart enough to get out of the tavern!
Think of the extremes to which a basketball coach goes to win a game. He makes his team carefully scrutinize a videotape of their latest game. They study each move. They discuss each player's strengths and weaknesses. They plan strategies and play sot improve their next game. Their next game. All this planning and scheming...for a GAME!
It's all a question of PLANNING. "Fail to plan - plan to fail". And also...it comes to 'how bad do you want this'?PRACTICE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL: ...Pay particular attention to this principle. It has worked miracles in my life. It was only after reaching my goal weight of 135 pounds that I came to understand the critical importance of environmental control. I call it practicing "the common sense of self-defense," and it has not only enabled me to lose the weight - but to keep it off.
Finally, I realized that the typical "here's a diet...now stick to it" line from the doctors simply wasn't enough. I faced the fact that willpower, applied at the wrong point, had failed me for years. Willpower alone simply isn't enough. At least not in the conventional sense. I still cannot trust myself alone with a cheesecake. I am afraid I would eat the whole thing. So should I throw up my arms and give up? Or should I practice "the common sense of self-defense" - a conscious effort at environmental control where food is concerned - and NEVER ALLOW MYSELF TO BE ALONE WITH A CHEESECAKE!? You see, I have discovered that we fatties must look further than traditional willpower for a solution. We must implement a little ol' brainpower! We must determine which link is our weak link in the stimulus - response chain that leads to overeating. At which point in the chain can we expect our willpower to fail?
After 20 years I faced the fact that I simply can't control myself once the maple bar is in my hand. At that point, it is not my fault if I eat it. It is literally beyond my control. Like the alcoholic sitting at a bar with his favorite drink in front of him, once that stupid maple bar is in my hand, I am a goner. BUT...I DID have control before I bought the greasy sucker. Or before I walked into the store. Or before I got out of my car. Of before I stepped into my car. Heck, I knew I was going to buy that life-wrecking hunk of sugar and grease before I sneaked out of my house. That is where willpower must be applied! When the first wicked thought of excess calories enters the brain - that is the place to nip it! Benjamin Franklin said "It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it." And Mark Twain said "It is easier to stay out than to get out." So I have made a comittment to me: I am Rosemary. I am a foodaholic. I must never again go into a grocery store alone...If I follow that rule, I will never again buy a stupid maple bar. "The common sense of self-defense." The sweet sound of thin and healthy for life! You see, I have become like the alcoholic who was smart enough to get out of the tavern!
Think of the extremes to which a basketball coach goes to win a game. He makes his team carefully scrutinize a videotape of their latest game. They study each move. They discuss each player's strengths and weaknesses. They plan strategies and play sot improve their next game. Their next game. All this planning and scheming...for a GAME!
Just a few thoughts...
Or they do cake for someones birthday, or bring in lunch, or whatever. My co-workers tease me about not eating solid foods cause they see me with shakes and "paste" (CC) all the time, or "eating that health stuff again" comments. Of course, I get my 2 cents in when I comment that they will eat my donuts for me and they do 
Social situations are very bad for me and that is where I have the most trouble saying no. Something to work on!!
