I'm a little apprehensive about the weekend ahead. I'm on day 4 of phase 1 right now, and doing okay (even avoided french fries yesterday when my mom took me and my little girl to McD's and then insisted I bring her leftover nuggets & fries back home... that was hard). But, we usually go out to eat twice over the weekend. I'm very nervous about it and want to avoid going out to eat altogether, since it's difficult to think of what to eat out at restaurants for phase 1. Does anyone have any ideas? Is this (weekends) a problem time for anyone else?

Applebees has a great fajita sizzler. You just ask for it without the tortilla and rice and it is very satisfying. TGI Friday's has several really good things. Captain D's has a new low carb menu. Ruby Tuesday's has a great salad bar and several low carb options. The new mediterranean chicken salad from Wendy's is awesome and so is their chili. Bennigans has a great low carb menu. Any steakhouse is usually a good option...Get a nice grilled chicken or low fat meat choice, steamed or sauteed veggies and a nice big salad...

I hope this helps!

Sunnybunny made excellent suggestions! If you're concerned that you will give into temptation and order your old faves, how about suggesting you cook a nice meal at home? grill some chicken, have a big salad and steam some veggies. Yummy! Sending you strength

Start with water. Then salad. Then water.Then restroom. If the meal hasn't come yet...you got it, more water.

I really am being serious. Try to make the going out about the company and not the food.

Lydia

Thanks for the ideas. I was wondering about that new salad at Wendy's. Their web site doesn't have its nutrition information yet, at least not a few days ago when I checked. We may try Applebee's or TGIFriday's. We don't have a Ruby Tuesdays. I think it would be good for me, mentally, to be able to go out to eat at least once this weekend, so I don't have the psychological deprivation and deviation from my 'normal' routine. Good idea about the water and going to the bathroom!

Wendy's salad has the following on it...
Grilled Marinated Chicken
Spring Mix Salad
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Feta Cheese
The Red Wine Vinagrette would definitely have to be skipped on phase one, but it is ok for p2. I didn't eat but about half of the dressing anyway. I would use the ranch instead on p1.

If you want to "eat out" though AB or TGIF would be much better. I don't know about you but Wendy's atmosphere doesn't really do it for me...teehee

If you go to Applebees, don't bother ordering their Weight Watchers meals. I got the fajitas on there and there was hardly any food! I'd order the regular fajitas and skip the rice and tortillas like Sunny said. I was disappointed with the fajitas I got - but I should have known better.

I go to a make your own stir fry restaurant - I add tons of veggies and chicken. Then I pick their sugar-free sauce and they stir fry it up for me. It's yummy! Our is called Fire Hut or another is called Fire Wok. It's basically a Mongolian BBQ

Truthfully, the few times we've gone out since I started I always order a grilled chicken breast...and lots and lots of water,

Hottie, that is a great idea, the mongolian bbq. I completely forgot there is one about four blocks from my house (we just moved here and I'm still figuring out what's nearby)! Maybe we'll have to head over there tonight... I think I prefer going out to eat on a Friday night than Saturday. I just need a break from cooking, and it 'feels' like the weekend is starting. Plus, that sounds great since I'm feeling a little burned out on salads! I've been pretty good for these first 4 days and I know I shouldn't have weighed myself, but I'm down 2.5 lbs, which is promising. I feel like I can do it right now, I have support systems in place and I've learned all I can about it, and it just feels like a healthy way to go.

Thanks for all the ideas! This is really helpful.

Hoosier, I agree, eating out can be hard on Phase 1. If you get even a tiny thing that has starch, fruit, or sugar in it, you need to start over. That's not fun...and there is just way too much out there that's hard to know about. I'd avoid going out this weekend and wait for next weekend. You can do it. Then you'll know for sure that you did Phase 1 pure and that it's going to have the strongest effect possible. Okay?

I went out on my last day of Phase 1 and inadvertantly ate some sugar. I still lost 13 pounds that week. It worked out. If it had happened earlier, I don't think it would have turned out at well.

A great restaurant for phase 1, if you have to go out, is Ruby Tuesday's. They have several good veggie sides and a fabulous salad bar.