Ok, I am a real "newbie" to SBD although, like many, I have dieted off and on for years. I am putting it out there that I am going to make it through today even though I have been invited to a last minute dinner tonight at a MEXICAN RESTAURANT!

This is with a crowd that love their chips and margaritas.

I am going to have a taco salad, or a tostada without the shell and a diet coke. I can't believe that this is happening on my second day. However, it is really important to me to see the people who will be there. Wish me luck!

Good luck Birdlady!! That is quite a challenge, but you can do it. Will the restaurant bring you slivers of bell pepper or cucumber etc to much on when they are at it with their tacos?

I find that once I have got through one of those kinds of evenings, I can get through a hundred. Brilliant of you to have planned first what you are having. See the thread on 'chili nights and chili days' on I think the recipe part, or the other part, as there is some discussion there about things like those beans you get in mex restaurants.

Good luck!!

Welcome to The Beach, Birdlady. Yes, that will be a challenge. I could NOY reisist a margarita so you must be a strong woman!

What a challenge on day two! If I am eating out I huge a HUGE salad before I go. No toppings or dressings, just salad. Then you will feel fill quickly. Also make sure you drink loads of water. This will fill you up and flush out all that salt. I am eating Mexican tomorrow night at a friends house but have asked her to make a big salad (cause she asked if I wanted anything in particular). I figure I can have mince and beans, spicy chicken, salad and avoid all the rice and breads.

I can't resist a margarita either...but I tell myself "it's just for two weeks". I'll cheat a little and have one this summer when I am in my one-size-smaller bathing suit.

By the way, I notice that there are many kinds of beans allowed on phase one, but what about the pintos customarily used in refried beans? They seem to be suspiciously absent from both the foods to eat and foods to avoid lists.

Oops, Clovey, should have taken your advice. The chilly days/chili nights thread was very helpful. Apparently, pintos just got left off the list and now appear as a "good carb" like the other legumes in the new book.

If I am having NO chips and NO margaritas, a little bit of refried beans will make all the difference in the world.

And, thanks, chick on the beach: I will eat some veggies before I go so as not to be ravenous.

I just wanted to let you know... I did it!

At first I felt deprived as everyone drank margaritas and munched chips. It seemed like forever before they wanted to order! So, I ordered a shrimp cocktail -- telling them that it was my kind of cocktail for the evening. Once I got that while they were eating their chips I didn't feel so deprived. For dinner I had scallops and refried beans. I didn't feel ill from eating too much as I normally would have.

And, I usually order tacos so the scallops were a real treat. I had forgotten how much I like mexican-style fish dishes. I guess in a perfect world I would have avoided the refried beans as I am not sure what kind of oil they use, but NO CHIPS and NO MARGARITA was a real victory.

Well done Birdlady!!! That is fantastic!!! Inspiring!!

I eat tinned refried beans even on phase one as they are actually quite low in fat in spite of the name. I make a chili thing with chili with lots of beans and veg, refried beans, some low fat cheese and some ff yog, and lots of salad, and a little avocado, and then roll it up in lettuce leaves instead of in bread. It is great as it does not feel like diet food.

I am longing for easter as I have promised myself a bar of my fave chocolate (hopefully to be consumed in one go on the sofa, ALONE!!)